Uzbekistan amends law “On protection of population from tuberculosis”

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed a law “On introduction of changes and amendments to some legislative acts of Uzbekistan” on 30 April 2013.

The document was passed by Legislative Chamber on 20 March 2013 and approved by Senate on 28 March 2013. The law came into force on 1 May 2013.

The law sets that the courts can oblige persons with TB to undergo treatment, which should help to improve health protection of population and raise efficiency of fight against TB in Uzbekistan.

According to the law, persons with infectious form of tuberculosis, who deviate from treatment and diagnosis, will be hospitalized on mandatory form to specialized medical establishments for up to six months.

The document said that the decision of the court could be reason for hospitalization of person with TB to medical establishment. The courts will consider the cases with hospitalization of TB infected persons within three days after receiving application.

The law also sets order of consideration of cases on hospitalization of people with TB.

The document also expanded rights of people with TB. Now, they can use send or receive mail, parcels and remittances, use telephone, own clothes, have and purchase necessary goods, etc.

Number of tuberculosis morbidity in Uzbekistan decreased by 33.2% and TB mortality fell by 60% in last several years (from 2003 to 2012), according to the Ministry of Healthcare of Uzbekistan.