Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan plans to reform medical education, expand practical training for students and introduce additional salary payments for certain categories of healthcare workers, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced on 27 October.
The measures were outlined during a meeting with representatives of the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors, according to presidential spokesperson Sherzod Asadov.
Mirziyoyev said Uzbekistan's 11 public higher education institutions train approximately 15,000 doctors annually. However, not all graduates have sufficient practical skills to begin treating patients independently immediately after completing their studies.
"No matter how many modern clinics we build or how much advanced equipment we purchase, we will not achieve results without qualified personnel," the president said.
He emphasized that mistakes made by medical professionals directly affect patient safety and can endanger human lives.
To address these concerns, medical students are expected to spend three days a week working with patients from 2027.
During their final year of study, students will undertake full practical training at healthcare institutions to strengthen their clinical skills before graduation.
Salary supplements for healthcare workers
The president also announced plans to introduce additional payments for certain categories of medical professionals.
Under the proposals, nurses with bachelor's degrees will receive monthly salary supplements of 1.5 million soums, while medical workers with master's degrees will receive an additional 2.5 million soums.
Specialized medical professionals working in family medicine will be eligible for monthly supplements of 5.5 million soums.
The announcement did not specify when these payments would take effect or whether additional eligibility requirements would apply.
Specialized medical residency to become free
From 2027, Uzbekistan plans to make residency training in specialized medical fields at higher education institutions free of charge.
Residents will also receive stipends of 3 million soums.
The duration of residency programmes will vary depending on the specialty, ranging from two to five years.
Training in family medicine will last two years, while surgical residency programmes will take five years.
Uzbekistan is also introducing a university clinic system under which healthcare institutions are affiliated with medical universities.
According to Mirziyoyev, 80% of medical research should be conducted at these university clinics.
Priority research areas will include improving diagnostic accuracy, increasing treatment effectiveness and reducing medical complications.
New standards for outpatient clinics
The president also announced the introduction of the New Uzbekistan Medical Standards, covering medical education, healthcare facility construction and equipment, sanitary and hygiene requirements, patient safety and standards of patient service.
"Everyone who enters a clinic should first see cleanliness, order and a culture of service," Mirziyoyev said.
Primary healthcare workers will gradually receive special uniforms free of charge as part of measures to improve working conditions.
In 2026, regional competitions are being held for the first time to recognize the best doctors and nurses working at district level.
Winners will receive cash prizes of 30 million soums each.
In 2027, 14 doctors who win at the regional stage of the competition will receive electric vehicles.
The authors of the ten best projects promoting healthy lifestyles will also receive grants of 200 million soums each.
State award named after Ibn Sina
During the meeting, Mirziyoyev proposed establishing a special state award named after Abu Ali ibn Sina.
The award would recognize healthcare professionals who have distinguished themselves in protecting public health, introducing scientific developments and applying modern treatment methods.
The president noted that more than 800,000 people work in Uzbekistan's medical and pharmaceutical sectors.
He also announced that he had signed a decree granting state awards to representatives of the industry, including doctors, entrepreneurs and foreign partners.
Mirziyoyev presented the awards during the meeting.
Further reforms to medical education
The latest announcements follow proposals presented to the president in September concerning reforms to medical and pharmaceutical education.
Under those proposals, Uzbekistan plans to replace the existing General Medicine field of study with a six-year bachelor's programme in General Medicine beginning in the 2027/2028 academic year.
Students would complete five years of academic study followed by one year of practical training.
Another proposal involves establishing a unified electronic register of medical and pharmaceutical professionals containing information about their education, qualifications and professional activities.
State registration of medical professionals is planned to become voluntary from 2027 and mandatory from 2030.
The proposed changes are intended to strengthen practical medical education, improve professional qualifications and introduce new mechanisms for recognizing and supporting healthcare workers.
