October 20, 19:45UzDaily

Uzbekistan plans to implement HIV self-testing devices nationwide by 2026

More than three hundred people in Uzbekistan have already been tested for HIV using Taxomat devices, which allow for saliva test results to be obtained in approximately 20–40 minutes. It is planned that these devices will be installed in all regions of the country by the end of 2026.

Maftuna Saidova, press secretary of the Committee for Sanitary and Epidemiological Welfare and Public Health, presented this data on October 20 at a briefing held at the Content Production Center for Mass Media.

This initiative aims to expand access to anonymous screening and ensure early detection of HIV infection. The implementation of self-testing programs is stipulated by Presidential Decree No. PP-14 of January 20, 2023. Special attention is paid to making testing accessible to various population groups, including migrant workers.

Taxomat devices are installed in crowded public places, airports, and railway stations. Currently, they are available at the Republican AIDS Center, Tashkent International Airport named after Islam Karimov, as well as in the airports of the regions of Andijan, Namangan, Surkhandarya, Bukhara, Kashkadarya, Navoi, Khorezm, Samarkand, and Fergana. Additionally, the devices operate in the Republic of Karakalpakstan and at the Zaamin sanatorium in the Jizzakh region.

Testing is conducted independently, without the involvement of medical personnel or invasive procedures, and does not require specialized laboratory equipment. This approach may be convenient for people who fear injections or blood tests, as well as for those who need a fast and confidential way to check.

To use the device, a person must scan an identity document, receive a test, and perform the procedure using a saliva sample. Information from the document is integrated into the electronic system and used according to established procedures to provide feedback, medical consultations, and referral for further examination.

It is important to note that a positive result from a self-test is not a final HIV diagnosis. In such cases, people are informed about the need for additional laboratory testing and advised to consult a regional AIDS center. If the diagnosis is confirmed, the patient is immediately included in the free medical monitoring program at the relevant regional center and receives antiretroviral therapy.

With timely treatment, adherence to the prescribed medication regimen, and following medical recommendations, people living with HIV can maintain good health for many years.

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Benefits for guardians of adults with severe intellectual disabilities will be assigned automatically in Uzbekistan

An updated regulation for providing benefits to guardians of adult individuals suffering from severe forms of intellectual disability has been approved in Uzbekistan. Now, the decision on granting this financial support will be made automatically.

The right to receive the benefit belongs to the official guardians of citizens who have reached the age of eighteen, provided they have the established corresponding diagnosis. This payment is intended directly for the person who officially cares for and looks after their adult ward.

The main innovation lies in changing the procedure for assigning the benefit. As soon as the necessary information is received, the decision to provide the payment will be generated automatically, which is intended to reduce the volume of individual administrative actions that guardians previously had to perform.

It was previously mentioned that the National Agency for Social Protection, together with the World Bank, held discussions regarding new criteria for determining social assistance. When assessing the level of need, it is planned to take into account not only the family's income level but also the presence of disability, chronic diseases, and the number of children, among other factors.

podrobno.uzOctober 7, 16:12

Uzbekistan Residents Assess Accessibility of Digital Healthcare Services: Study Findings

In Uzbekistan, there is a growing use of digital tools by the population to address health-related issues. According to the STADA Health Report 2026, 52% of respondents believe that the national healthcare system effectively provides such tools and services. This figure significantly exceeds the average level of 28% across 20 countries.

The active implementation of artificial intelligence is also highly rated by residents: 55% consult AI on health matters, and among youth under 35, this figure reaches 69%. However, technology is not replacing traditional medicine. Twenty-one percent of respondents use AI to seek a second opinion after seeing a doctor (which is higher than the global rate of 16%), and 15% use it to analyze diagnoses.

Half of the survey participants are not yet ready to fully rely on algorithmic consultations. Nevertheless, 38% are convinced that with technological progress, the professional significance and level of trust in doctors will only increase, which is higher than the global average of 30%.

Readiness for Digitalization in Pharmaceuticals

The readiness for digitalization extends to the pharmaceutical sector. A quarter of respondents (49%) are willing to order medications through online pharmacies or entrust digital services with prescription management. Furthermore, 29% believe that in the future, most specialist consultations will take place online. The most demanded services in the pharmacy sector were identified as home drug delivery (37%), round-the-clock specialist consultations (33%), and the possibility of undergoing an individual health check-up (23%).

Overall Assessment of the Healthcare System

High trust in technology correlates with a generally positive perception of the state healthcare system. Over the past year, the share of citizens satisfied with the system's performance has increased by 13 percentage points, reaching 82% (compared to the average of 56% in the study). The proportion of those completely satisfied with the system grew from 7% in 2025 to 22% in 2026. Citizens positively assess the availability of medicines (65%), support during crises (64%), elderly care (62%), and preventive care provision (57%).

Contrast in Preventive Care

Despite high levels of digital engagement, a clear contrast exists in the area of prevention. 48% of respondents in Uzbekistan do not undergo any available preventive examinations, whereas the global average is 33%. The trend of recent years shows an increase in the number of people ignoring prevention: from 25% in 2023 to 39% in 2025 and up to 48% in 2026. Only 16% of citizens undergo the full set of recommended examinations, which is lower than 38% in 2023.

This situation is partly explained by citizens' high self-assessment regarding control over their health. 85% of respondents in Uzbekistan believe they are able to control their condition to a full or major extent (compared to the global average of 78%), and 45% claim complete control (versus 13% globally). Additionally, 40% are confident in their ability to independently search for and understand necessary medical information (globally—22%). Meanwhile, 48% place the responsibility for being informed on themselves, while 41% believe that medical professionals and the state should fulfill this role.

Given additional health budget, 32% would allocate it to examinations, 29% to purchasing vitamins and dietary supplements, and only 9% to digital trackers and applications.

Health Decision-Making Factors

When making health decisions, the social environment plays a decisive role for residents of Uzbekistan. The main references are doctors (55%), spouses or partners (53%), family members (49%), and pharmacists (43%). Cultural and religious beliefs have a significant influence, according to 39% of respondents (compared to 19% globally). 31% of respondents rely on state structures (globally—14%).

System Development Priorities

Despite acknowledging digital achievements, the population prioritizes the development of basic infrastructure. If given a choice on the direction of healthcare system development, 59% would focus efforts on improving the accessibility of medical care in rural and underserved areas. 36% consider it necessary to improve primary healthcare accessibility, and 35% advocate for reducing queues and increasing the number of specialists. Another 33% noted the need to improve elderly care, while only 13% named further investment in telemedicine and digital tools as a priority.

The STADA Health Report 2026, conducted by the international company Human8 in February-March 2026 via an online survey, covered 19,514 people from 20 countries. It showed that Uzbek public interest in digital medical services is growing, as 52% rated their accessibility positively. However, the key requirement remains the development of fundamental medical infrastructure and ensuring physical access to doctors in regions.