Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has reviewed plans to modernise the country’s healthcare infrastructure under a unified master plan and expand private-sector participation in the healthcare system.
The proposals envisage upgrading medical facilities based on population size, demand for services and access to healthcare. Infrastructure remains unevenly developed across some regions, hospital beds are not distributed efficiently, and the use of outdated buildings and equipment affects the quality of care.
One of the first steps will be to establish a reliable database of healthcare properties. An inventory conducted in 10 regions identified 3,499 healthcare facilities, 494 more than recorded in the data of the Cadastre Agency. Authorities have proposed completing the inventory nationwide, issuing electronic passports for each facility and creating a unified digital register.
Based on the collected data, master plans for healthcare infrastructure development will be prepared for 2026–2036. They will take into account population trends, demand for medical services, the capacity of existing facilities and the time patients need to travel to hospitals and clinics.
The plans will determine which facilities should be retained, merged or renovated, where new facilities should be built, what equipment they will require and how many medical workers will be needed. Investment programmes will also be developed in line with the plans.
The proposed system will link healthcare facilities according to the level of care they provide. Complex and high-tech services will be concentrated in designated referral centres, while basic and emergency care should remain accessible in districts. Separate service standards will be applied to primary healthcare in cities, rural areas and remote settlements.
The need to redistribute resources was illustrated by the example of Samarkand Region. Although districts account for 80% of the region’s population, they have only 41.7% of its hospital beds. Under the proposed master plan, the share of beds located in districts is expected to increase to 67% following the reorganisation of healthcare zones.
Projects to build and renovate hospitals are also being considered in Samarkand, Urgut, Pastdargom, Kattakurgan, Ishtikhan and Payarik. The proposals include consolidating specialised institutions in the regional centre around multidisciplinary hospitals and developing central laboratories, sterilisation services and diagnostic facilities.
By 2030, a total of 1,500 additional hospital beds are planned in Urgut, Kattakurgan and Pastdargom.
Particular attention is being given to design standards for medical facilities. New buildings must provide convenient patient movement, infection control, accessibility for people with disabilities and appropriately equipped premises. Clinical practice is also expected to incorporate protocols adapted to national conditions and based on international recommendations, with regular assessments of their effectiveness.
The presentation also covered a draft resolution aimed at expanding private-sector participation in healthcare. The proposals include outsourcing selected medical and support services, such as haemodialysis, laboratory testing, diagnostic examinations and equipment maintenance.
To attract long-term investment, authorities have proposed cooperation agreements lasting up to five years instead of annual contracts. Under the proposed model, a public medical institution would purchase the service, while its private partner would finance the acquisition of necessary equipment, operate it and ensure its replacement or modernisation.
The discussions also covered the introduction of standardised tender documents and an electronic procurement system, as well as the possibility of transferring selected medical facilities to the management of specialised companies.
Following the presentation, Mirziyoyev instructed officials to refine the proposals and ensure their phased implementation.
