Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev presented state awards to representatives of the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors at a meeting held at the Kuksaroy residence. He also proposed establishing an Ibn Sina Order to recognise medical workers who make significant contributions to protecting public health.
Ahead of their professional holiday, Mirziyoyev congratulated healthcare and pharmaceutical workers and thanked them for their work. He noted that more than 800,000 people contribute to the development of the country’s healthcare system and pharmaceutical industry.
A decree awarding state honours to a group of sector representatives had been signed earlier. During the meeting, Mirziyoyev personally presented the recipients with orders and medals.
The proposed Ibn Sina Order would recognise medical professionals who serve as role models in protecting public health, introducing advanced scientific developments and applying modern treatment methods.
Addressing the participants, the president emphasised the importance of health to people’s well-being and described healthcare as one of the key priorities of the ongoing reforms.
Over the past decade, Uzbekistan has commissioned new outpatient clinics and hospitals designed to serve 10 million people and created 58,000 hospital beds, he said. The volume of medical services has tripled during that period.
More than 100 types of medical services that were previously available only abroad can now be accessed in Uzbekistan. These include organ transplantation, robotic surgery and complex neurosurgical procedures.
The meeting also focused on improving working conditions and providing social support for healthcare workers. The authorities plan to allocate 50 billion soums to help partially repay mortgage loans for employees who have worked in the sector for at least 15 years. The measure is expected to enable 1,000 medical workers to move into new homes next year.
In addition, the government plans to cover 25% of the initial mortgage payment each year for 500 young specialists. The monthly additional allowance for doctors working in remote areas will be increased to 4.5 million soums. They will also receive a one-time payment of 50 million soums.
The authorities also intend to introduce additional incentives to encourage Uzbek doctors who have gained experience at foreign clinics to return to the country. They will be eligible for monthly allowances of up to 50 million soums, as well as opportunities to organise their workplaces, use modern equipment and independently assemble teams of specialists.
The meeting also addressed measures to improve medical staff qualifications, develop primary healthcare and introduce modern technologies. In closing, Mirziyoyev instructed officials to ensure that the planned measures are implemented and to work with representatives of the sector on their proposals.
