Mirziyoyev Approves Reform of Uzbek Medical Education

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has reviewed and approved proposals to reform the national system for training, state registration, and continuous education of medical and pharmaceutical personnel.

Developed with input from international and local experts alongside recommendations from Cambridge, Harvard, and Pennsylvania universities, the reforms shift training toward practical competencies and align educational frameworks with international standards. Under the plan, admission quotas for medical universities will be determined by regional demand and specialized healthcare shortages, with state orders approved directly by the Ministry of Health.

Beginning in the 2027/2028 academic year, a six-year "General Medicine" undergraduate program will replace the existing "General Medicine and Treatment" track, incorporating a mandatory one-year practical rotation after five years of study. Graduates will qualify to practice as family doctors. Advanced specialist training will systematically transition to residency programs, while master's degree programs will pivot toward academic and research training. In addition, pharmaceutical education will expand dual-learning initiatives involving pharmaceutical manufacturers.

The strategy introduces a mandatory state registration system and a unified electronic registry for healthcare personnel, integrated across 16 databases. Independent qualification assessments will be launched voluntarily in 2027 and become obligatory by 2030, after which unregistered specialists will be barred from practicing. The evaluation process includes foundational, clinical, and specialty-specific examinations supported by a unified test bank and simulation centers. Specialists joining the voluntary phase early will be eligible for monthly financial bonuses up to five times the minimum wage for senior staff and 2.5 times for mid-level personnel.

A continuous professional education system based on credit modules will also be implemented. Senior medical and pharmaceutical personnel will be required to earn at least 50 credits annually, while mid-level personnel must earn 28 credits. Specialists may select accredited local or international training providers, with both in-person and distance-learning options recognized toward qualification renewal. Dedicated administrative centers will be created to manage specialist registration, qualification testing, and educational accreditation.