Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- As part of the implementation of a public-private partnership (PPP) project, the first Center for the provision of dialysis services was put into operation in Nukus. This center is one of four PPP project centers scheduled to open by the end of 2022.

In January 2021, the government of Uzbekistan selected the largest and fastest growing company in this field in Asia, Nephroplus, as the winner of an international tender to select a private partner to provide high-quality dialysis services.

Nephroplus has won a tender to finance, build, equip, train staff and manage four dialysis clinics in Tashkent, the Republic of Karakalpakstan and Khorezm region, as well as to provide life-saving dialysis services to over 1,000 patients per year, and conduct more than 140,000 sessions per year.

In accordance with the PPP agreement, the company assumes all costs associated with the organization and provision of dialysis services:

construction of new dialysis centers in accordance with international requirements;

equipping with modern latest equipment, supply of all necessary consumables, employment and training of medical personnel;

provision of dialysis services to patients in accordance with international standards for ten years;

preparation of patients for dialysis by performing a surgical operation to create a vascular access for dialysis;

introduction of a new peritoneal dialysis technology that allows dialysis to be carried out at home.

This technology has not been available in Uzbekistan until today. It is indicated for children and some patients with cardiovascular complications, will save money and time for patients living in remote areas, and will also enable patients to continue to lead an active life, go to work and school.

Clinics in Urgench and Bagat district are expected to start operating in May 2022, and the largest clinic in Tashkent will open before the end of 2022.

The project will create new dialysis units in the regions, introduce international quality standards, reduce mortality and improve the quality of life of patients with kidney failure.

Nephroplus is one of the largest dialysis service providers in Asia, focuses exclusively on providing dialysis services and is not a manufacturer of equipment. The company has more than 240 clinics and serves more than 17,000 patients in India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Nepal and Vietnam.

The dialysis project is the first international PPP project in healthcare in Uzbekistan implemented under the relevant law, and its successful implementation will be important in attracting other international investors and technologies to the healthcare system.

It was implemented by the Ministry of Health with advisory support from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group.

In addition, the Ministries of Finance and Health are currently working on two new international PPP projects with IFC: a project to finance, build, equip and maintain a new multidisciplinary hospital in the Fergana region, and a project to finance, build, equip, employ and train a medical personnel and the provision of radiotherapy services to cancer patients in four regions of Uzbekistan.