Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Minister of Health of Uzbekistan, Asilbek Khudayarov, met with his Kazakh counterpart, Akmaral Alnazarova, to discuss the deepening partnership between the two countries in the field of healthcare. It was noted that in recent years, mutually beneficial cooperation has reached a new qualitative level.

The collaboration includes active exchange programs between medical universities for faculty and students, joint scientific research projects, specialist training, as well as masterclasses and live demonstration surgeries.

A joint educational program was launched in the 2024/2025 academic year with the participation of the Bukhara State Medical Institute and Kazakhstan’s National Institute. In addition, Uzbekistan’s specialized medical centers are actively sharing best practices with leading Kazakh clinics, especially in maternal and child health — an area already showing tangible results.

Pharmaceutical cooperation is also expanding: between 2023 and 2024, Uzbekistan registered 149 Kazakh-made medicines and 37 types of medical devices and equipment, while Kazakhstan registered 98 pharmaceutical products from Uzbek manufacturers. The two countries have also signed a mutual recognition agreement for vaccination certificates.

The two ministers met earlier in Astana during the 7th Meeting of SCO Health Ministers and recently again in Geneva during the 77th World Health Assembly. The 5th meeting of health ministers of the Organization of Turkic States was also held this year in Astana.

One of the key outcomes of the latest meeting was the agreement to organize the Days of Kazakh Medicine in Uzbekistan, starting in the Aral Sea region. The two sides also discussed mutual recognition of medical university diplomas.

Further areas of cooperation include pediatric oncohematology, treatment of rare diseases, cardiac surgery, oncology, pharmaceuticals, health insurance, and the development of primary healthcare systems.

Special emphasis was placed on the joint training and professional development of medical personnel, recognized as a cornerstone of sustainable healthcare development.

The meeting concluded with the signing of a 2025–2026 action plan to further advance healthcare collaboration between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.