Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan will expand its state-guaranteed healthcare package from 2027, increasing the number of medicines provided free of charge to 73 and the number of covered medical examinations to 36.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced the measures on 27 October during a meeting with healthcare and pharmaceutical industry workers at the Kuksaroy residence.
Currently, outpatients in Uzbekistan are entitled to 69 types of medicines free of charge. Of these, 28 medicines are available under the reimbursement programme, with plans to increase that number to 69 in 2027.
In February 2025, a representative of the Ministry of Health reported that the guaranteed package of medical services at local outpatient clinics included 28 diagnostic examinations and 22 laboratory tests.
The president also outlined plans to expand early disease detection programmes, with particular emphasis on cancer screening and cardiovascular conditions.
A new screening programme for stomach, colorectal, prostate and lung cancers is expected to begin in Samarkand region before being extended to all regions of Uzbekistan in 2028.
The government plans to allocate 700 billion soums annually to implement the programme.
Early detection initiatives targeting diabetes, tuberculosis, cardiovascular diseases, tumours in women and childhood oncohaematological diseases will also continue.
Early detection of heart attacks and strokes
A programme for the early detection and treatment of heart attacks and strokes is currently being implemented in Andijan, Ferghana, Namangan and Samarkand regions, as well as Tashkent.
According to Mirziyoyev, mortality during the early stages of these conditions declined by 15% over the first five months of the programme.
Providing medical assistance within the so-called "golden hour" helped prevent premature deaths and severe complications in 855 patients.
The golden hour refers to the critical period following the onset of a medical emergency when timely treatment can significantly affect patient outcomes.
In 2027, the government plans to allocate 280 billion soums to expand the programme, which is expected to cover every district and city in Uzbekistan.
New model for primary healthcare clinics
The president also discussed reforms aimed at improving primary healthcare services.
"I always say that the better primary healthcare works, the healthier our people will be," Mirziyoyev said.
According to the president, a new primary healthcare model has already been tested in 28 districts.
Under the pilot programme, seven million residents were assigned to family doctors, with the responsibilities of patients and healthcare professionals established through mutual agreements.
The reforms also included opening new laboratories, organizing training programmes for doctors and nurses, and developing standardized patient pathways defining how individuals undergo examinations and receive medical treatment.
Mirziyoyev said the measures had helped strengthen public confidence in outpatient clinics.
From 2027, the government plans to introduce the new primary healthcare model in another 100 districts.
Development of healthcare infrastructure
The president also highlighted the expansion of Uzbekistan's healthcare infrastructure over the past decade.
According to Mirziyoyev, new outpatient clinics and hospitals capable of serving 10 million people have been commissioned, while 58,000 additional hospital beds have been created.
The expansion of modern healthcare facilities and the development of private medical services have helped triple the volume of healthcare services provided in the country.
Uzbekistan now performs more than 100 types of complex medical procedures that previously required patients to seek treatment abroad.
These include operations for congenital heart defects, organ transplantation, robotic surgery and complex neurosurgical procedures.
"To see our families happy, work honestly, achieve our goals and live meaningful lives, we must first and foremost be healthy. That is why we have made protecting people's health one of the most important priorities of our reforms," Mirziyoyev said.
