Uzbekistan Ministry of Health proposes compensating transport costs for hemodialysis patients

The Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan has introduced a new initiative that provides for the reimbursement of transportation costs for individuals undergoing regular scheduled hemodialysis. According to the proposal, patients will be able to organize their trips to medical institutions independently and receive compensation for these expenses from the state budget.

Under this system, a person requiring treatment will have the option to use any convenient mode of transport to attend the procedure and return home, including a taxi or private car. It is planned that all incurred expenses will be compensated according to approved rules.

Representatives of the department believe that this approach will allow patients to save time and choose the most comfortable means of travel for themselves, eliminating dependence on any specific mode of transport.

Before the official launch of the mechanism, it was decided to conduct a survey among the patients themselves. This survey is scheduled to conclude by August 15, as the Ministry of Health emphasizes that the feedback received is critically important for refining this initiative in line with the real needs of the population.

Patients are urged to actively participate in the voting and share their ideas, which will be incorporated into the further development process of the compensation system. It was also noted that starting from July 1, 2026, temporary disability benefits in Uzbekistan will be assigned on a proactive basis, meaning without the need for employees to submit applications or provide additional certificates.

podrobno.uzAugust 6, 16:58

In six months, Uzbekistan residents spent over 11 trillion soms on medical services

In the first six months of 2026, citizens of Uzbekistan allocated 11.3 trillion soms to healthcare services. A significant portion of these expenses, nearly half of the total volume, was concentrated in Tashkent.

Distribution of Healthcare Expenditures

According to information from the National Statistical Committee, the total volume of services in the healthcare sector for the period from January to June 2026 showed an increase of 16.8% compared to the same period last year. Structurally, other healthcare services accounted for the largest share of expenditures at 53.7%. This was followed by medical institution services, which made up 31.8%, and medical and dental services covered 14.5%.

The country's capital, Tashkent, led in the volume of services provided, reaching 5.2 trillion soms. The Tashkent region came in second place, with service volume amounting to 1.1 trillion soms.

Service Volume in Regions

In the Samarkand region, expenditures by residents and organizations on healthcare reached 830.2 billion soms. In the Fergana region, this figure was 675.4 billion soms, and in the Namangan region, it was 550.4 billion soms. Spending in the Andijan region was also noted at 507.2 billion soms.

In other regions, the volume of medical services provided was lower. In the Bukhara region, it amounted to 392.3 billion soms, and in Khorezm, 390.9 billion soms. The Kashkadarya region registered a figure of 360.4 billion soms.

In the Karakalpakstan Republic, the volume of services reached 335.5 billion soms. In the Surkhandarya region, it was 262 billion soms, in Jizzakh, 251.5 billion soms, in Syrdarya, 203.2 billion soms, and in Navoi, 193.1 billion soms.

In summary, it should be noted that Tashkent bore the main burden, receiving 5.2 trillion soms, which accounts for almost half of the total volume of healthcare services provided in the country during the first six months of 2026.

podrobno.uzAugust 3, 16:37

Uzbekistan plans social protection reforms: implementing inclusive education, assistance for homeless people, and digitalization of benefits

A new set of measures is being developed in Uzbekistan aimed at developing the social protection system. These proposals concern expanding access to education for children with disabilities, changing the approach to supporting the homeless and victims of human trafficking, and transitioning transport benefits to a digital format.

These initiatives were announced at a meeting attended by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. It was noted that the social assistance system has significantly strengthened over the past years: the number of types of social services has increased from 23 to 140, and the annual coverage has reached 4.6 million cases, with almost half of these cases resolved at the mahalla level.

Support for Children with Special Educational Needs

Special attention is paid to children with special educational needs. Currently, there are over 168 thousand children with disabilities registered in the country, but about 34.6 thousand of them do not participate in the educational process. To eliminate this problem, targeted work with families is planned, where each child's needs will be assessed at an early stage to select optimal learning conditions. A pilot project is scheduled for October 2026 in the Khorezm and Navoi regions.

Starting from the new academic year, individual study plans will be introduced in specialized schools. Assistants and helpers will be provided to visually impaired teachers and primary school students. Private educational institutions that open correctional classes near children's residences can apply for state subsidies, and the most successful projects will be awarded grants annually.

Furthermore, starting in 2027, a voucher system is planned to provide children with necessary assistive technologies, such as Braille displays and text-to-speech devices. Additional conditions will be provided for people with disabilities during exams, including extended time, assistance from assistants, and sign language interpreters.

Changes in Working with Homeless People and Victims of Human Trafficking

The reform will also affect people without a permanent place of residence. Existing rehabilitation institutions will be converted into temporary accommodation and social reintegration centers. In these centers, people will receive support in restoring documents, receiving medical treatment, acquiring a new profession, and finding employment. Mechanisms for employment support will also be developed, including providing training vouchers and establishing job quotas.

Regarding victims of human trafficking, it is proposed to start the functioning of a system for assessing their situation through 'Inson' centers in September 2026, after which they will be referred to the relevant services. The network of rehabilitation centers for women and children will be expanded by increasing the number of available places. Concurrently, the introduction of separate criminal liability for child trafficking and restricting the activities of individuals involved in such crimes is being considered.

Digitalization of Transport Benefits

Another significant change concerns simplifying the process of obtaining discounted travel. Currently, more than 48 thousand people use this benefit, and in the future, the entire system will become fully digital. Paper travel tickets will be abolished, and the right to the benefit will be verified using an ID card or biometric passport. Starting in 2027, purchasing discounted tickets will be possible online through the Baraka mobile application.

The President approved all the proposed measures and instructed a thorough elaboration of their implementation process. Relevant agencies must now prepare all necessary documentation and ensure the gradual introduction of new social support mechanisms across the country. It should be noted that in 2025, 4.9 million applications were submitted to Uzbekistan's social protection system, more than double the figure from the previous year, when applications totaled 1.9 million.