The Ministry of Health has provided clarifications regarding which medical services patients are entitled to receive free of charge when receiving state-funded treatment. According to the agency's response to a request from Podrobno.uz, all services, medications, medical devices, and consumables included in the approved clinical protocol are covered by the state budget.
As part of legislative changes, it was clarified that the term 'order' is no longer used. Patients are now issued an electronic referral containing a QR code, which confirms their right to receive a specific volume of medical care from the state. The clinic is obliged to provide diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation free of charge within this scope, prohibiting patients from purchasing necessary drugs or consumables independently. Furthermore, no fee is charged for issuing extracts from medical documents.
If an additional illness is discovered during examination, its treatment may also be financed by the state, but within the basic cost established for that new diagnosis. However, paid services are permissible in several cases: if a person approached the clinic without a referral, chose a higher-level institution bypassing the established procedure, or is undergoing treatment in a private department. Payment may also be possible for additional procedures not included in the guaranteed package or clinical protocol. An exception is emergency and urgent care, which does not require a referral.
Any demand for payment in other situations is considered a violation. The Ministry also emphasized that hospitals are obliged to inform the public about available free services and the conditions for receiving them through stands, information kiosks, official websites, and hotlines. It was previously reported that as of July 1, private clinics in Uzbekistan gained the right to provide services at the state's expense across all directions specified in their licenses.
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.
