Women constitute 49.6% of the population of Cape Verde, according to INE data

The health of the population is considered the most important value determining the development of society and the future of the nation. Within the framework of Uzbekistan's state policy, priority areas include ensuring high-quality and modern medical services for the population, fundamental reform of the healthcare system, strengthening the material and technical base of medical institutions, and widespread implementation of digital technologies.

Thanks to large-scale reforms in the healthcare sector initiated by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the quality of medical services has reached a completely new level. Efforts are focused on strengthening primary healthcare, expanding opportunities for modern diagnosis and treatment of the population, implementing digital medicine, equipping institutions with high-tech equipment, and improving staff qualifications, and these efforts are now yielding tangible results.

To deepen reforms in the healthcare system of Bukhara region, accelerate digital transformation processes, and disseminate best practices, a regional exhibition-seminar was organized at the Olotsi District Medical Association.

Leaders of medical associations from all 11 districts and cities of the region, their deputies, senior nurses, coordinators, as well as specialists in information and communication technologies, took part in this prestigious event. The seminar became an important platform for exchanging views, analyzing practical results achieved in the healthcare system, and popularizing modern approaches and advanced management experience.

During the event, participants were familiarized with large-scale construction, reconstruction, and modernization works carried out at the Olotsi District Medical Association in subsequent years. Particular attention was drawn to the acquisition and commissioning of modern medical equipment worth 2 billion 200 million sums to strengthen the material and technical base of the institution. This is of great importance for ensuring quick and accurate diagnosis for patients, improving the quality of treatment, and easing the work of medical personnel.

Furthermore, thanks to winning the 'Open Budget' project, the exterior of the institution was completely reconstructed and received a completely new look in accordance with the requirements of modern architecture and sanitation. Works on landscaping and greening the institution's territory, as well as all amenities created for patients and medical workers, made a great impression on the participants.

One of the key areas of the seminar was the digitalization of the medical field. Participants were thoroughly familiarized with the activities of the newly established Situational Center. It was emphasized that this center creates opportunities for remote analysis of primary healthcare institutions' activities, monitoring service quality, maintaining an electronic database, and making operational management decisions.

Experts expressed opinions and suggestions regarding the effective use of information systems, improving the exchange of electronic medical documents, eliminating some problems arising in digital medicine, as well as the phased introduction of artificial intelligence and modern digital solutions.

Within the framework of the seminar, issues of improving the quality of medical services provided to the population, early disease detection, strengthening preventive work, improving the activities of the primary healthcare level, and expanding inter-institutional cooperation were also widely discussed.

Leaders of district and city medical associations received important recommendations on implementing the effective experience realized in Olotsi district in other regions.

At the end of the seminar, participants highly praised the results achieved in modernizing the healthcare system in Olotsi district, updating infrastructure, implementing digital management, and creating a comfortable medical environment for the population. Specific tasks were defined for the wide dissemination of best practices in other regions of the region.

Large-scale reforms are being carried out in the healthcare system under the President's leadership, which contribute to strengthening the health of the people, raising the quality of medical services to international standards, and actively developing digital medicine. This exhibition-seminar, held in Olotsi district, is a practical embodiment of these beneficial reforms and is of particular importance as one of the important steps towards ensuring quality medical care for every citizen, as well as for popularizing best practices and introducing innovative approaches in the industry.

The exiled Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasrin shared her views on returning to India after nearly two decades on Saturday, asserting that it serves as proof that 'injustice can be long, but it cannot be permanent.'

These statements were made by her during an event in Calcutta, almost two decades after she was forced to leave the city in 2007. The writer, who was 63 at the time, had managed to live in Calcutta since 1994, having left Bangladesh due to death threats from radical groups linked to her views on religion and her writings.

Nasrin, who resided in Europe, also clarified that her return to Calcutta is not tied to any political agenda. Quotes provided by PTI state: 'Today, opening this door proves that injustice can be long, but it cannot be permanent. History remembers who closed doors and who opened them... I am not here to speak for any political party or against any party. I am here to advocate for women's rights.'

She also expressed concern over what she termed the 'rise' of religious extremism in Bangladesh. Nasrin stated: 'I oppose all forms of fundamentalism, but I spoke out against Islamic fundamentalists because I saw it firsthand since childhood. The rise of fundamentalism in Bangladesh is at an alarming stage. Freedom of speech is being restricted.'

Visibly emotional, Nasrin described her return as the 'fulfillment of a long-awaited moment.' She added: 'It took me 19 years to say these words: 'I have returned to Calcutta.' I felt the pain of losing an address every day. On August 8, 1994, the then government forced me to leave Bangladesh. The state could remove me from my country, but it can never remove my country from within me.'

Expressing regret over the inability to find permanent housing in either Bangladesh or West Bengal, Nasrin emphasized that Europe provided her with safety but not a sense of belonging. She noted: 'Europe gave me citizenship and a place to live, but unfortunately, I could not find a small place to reside in the two Bengals. Europe gave me security, but it could not give me a sense of belonging. A home is built not just on security; it is built on language, memory, and culture.'

Nasrin insisted that she had never been convicted by any court but faced restrictions due to opposition from fundamentalist groups. She stressed: 'I did not commit a crime. The court never punished me. It is a painful truth of our times that a writer needs police protection to visit a city in their native language.'

Refuting accusations of offensive content in her works, she highlighted that her work focused on equality and human rights. She stated: 'I only spoke about equal rights for women and men, as well as human rights regardless of religion or caste. I said that any rule or doctrine that takes away equality and human dignity must be changed.'

Furthermore, she criticized the unequal treatment of women in the name of religion and supported the introduction of a Uniform Civil Code across South Asia, arguing that religion-based personal laws discriminate against women. She concluded: 'The real conflict is between secularism and fundamentalism, between rational reason and irrationality, between innovation and tradition, and between people who value freedom and those who do not.'

The National Agency for Social Protection of Uzbekistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation with the Russian Institute of Sectoral Nutrition. The goal of this agreement is to improve the healthy nutrition system in social protection institutions across the country.

Social Security

During the meeting, representatives of both sides discussed the current state of food organization in social care facilities. Issues such as implementing modern approaches, improving the regulatory and methodological framework, as well as professional development of specialists and expanding the application of advanced international experience were addressed.

The signed memorandum provides for joint work on developing current standards and methodological recommendations for catering in social care institutions. Furthermore, the cooperation will cover optimizing procurement and food delivery systems, introducing modern technologies, as well as training and improving the qualifications of relevant specialists with the involvement of international experts.

It is expected that the implementation of these agreements will positively affect the improvement of food quality and the overall level of social services provided to citizens residing in the institutions of the National Agency for Social Protection system.