Health of the Nation – Priority Direction of State Policy

May 13, 2008

Thanks to the reforms being implemented during the years of independence the radical changes have taken place in the sphere of healthcare. For over the past time Uzbekistan has fully reconsidered the system of medical servicing. The upbringing of comprehensively developed generation and further strengthening the nation’s health became a priority direction of state policy.

Since the early years of independence Uzbekistan has been paying a profound attention to upbringing the healthy generation and protection of people’s health, as a whole. The Decree of President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov of April 23, 1993 has paved the way for establishment of the International non-state charity fund “Soglom avlod uchun” (‘For healthy generation’). In 1993 the first order of Uzbekistan with the same name was instituted.

The adoption of the State program to reform the healthcare system for 1999-2005 in 1998 also served as an important factor in implementing the reforms. It was elaborated in line with main directions of the country’s strategic development. Lately, Uzbekistan achieved considerable successes in providing for implementation of the said document, and particularly, on changing the system of primary link of healthcare, protection of motherhood and childhood, establishing the specialized medical centers and emergency medical services networks, bettering the cadres training system, and developing the pharmaceutical sphere.

The reforms being implemented in the sphere of healthcare are enormous. In particular, noteworthy are the works being carried out in the sphere of protection of motherhood and childhood. All legal foundations have been created in Uzbekistan to uphold the interests of family, mothers and children whilst taking into account the world standards. During 1998 till 2002 several purposeful state programs were adopted such as “Mother and child screening”, “Healthy generation”, “Mother and child”, and others. Also, on the initiative of the Uzbek Leader the National program on flour fortification has been adopted in Uzbekistan. The set of measures are being taken as a part of efforts to provide for the birth of healthy children and their upbringing based on the principle of “Healthy mother – healthy child”. At the same time, the new system has been elaborated for establishing family and preparing youth for a family-based life. Thus, the notion such as the healthy generation – healthy family – healthy society is being realized.

Also important is positive resolution of the issues related to monitoring health of mothers and children during pregnancy and delivery, medical care after fertile-age women, strengthening the material and technical base of maternity complexes, establishing such new medical institutions as perinatal centers. Nowadays, 5 406 general practice doctors, 8 812 pediatricians, 1 405 neonatologists, 5 584 obstetrician-gynecologists, and other specialists are employed with the system of protection of motherhood and childhood in Uzbekistan.

The successes being secured by Uzbekistan in the sphere of healthcare now gain recognition on the part of high-profile international organizations. In its report on protection of motherhood and childhood the “Save the children” organization has dwelled on Uzbekistan’s achievements. According to the report, on creation of conditions for women Uzbekistan occupies the 19th place among 125 countries of the world. Such position is rather significant not only for the CIS countries but also for the entire Asian continent.

Last year the national model for medical servicing on protection of motherhood and childhood of only four states from amongst 53 countries, including Uzbekistan, gained high assessment by the World Health Organization (WHO). That model has been recognized as an example for those practiced in other states. According to the report “Health for all: Uzbekistan’s main goal in the new millennium”, made based on comprehensive analysis of official data, the life expectancy in Uzbekistan has significantly grown. At the moment, it equals 72.5 years. This indicator in Uzbekistan is rather high compare to many CIS states. For example, in Russia it equals 66.7 years, Belarus – 69.9 years, the Ukraine – 69.5, Kazakhstan – 66.2, and in Kyrgyzstan – 68.4 years.

This once again confirms that the reforms in Uzbekistan are being accomplished not for the sake of reforms but for the sake of human. Such successes are the outcome of radical transformations in the sphere of healthcare being carried out on the immediate initiative of President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov.

Independence allowed to establish the new system of medical servicing which meets the international standards. The budget funds being allocated for medicine grow year by year. In 2006 their total volume compare to 1999 grew for 7.4 times and made up UZS 480.8 billion. In 2007 that indicator amounted to UZS 625 billion, and this year it will make up UZS 862 billion.

Apart from channeling the budget funds to the sphere Uzbekistan is actively engaged in international cooperation. For example, at the moment 96 regional and district maternity complexes are being repaired and supplied with the latest equipment as a part of the “Strengthening health of mothers and children” project being implemented alongside with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in the Republic of Karakalpakstan and several provinces nationwide. Besides, the funds allotted by Korean Eximbank and Kuwaiti KFAED are being channeled to deepening the reforms in the sphere of healthcare. Germany and Japan are also actively supporting Uzbekistan. JICA allotted grant worth 3.5 million dollars to supply the Specialized scientific-practical center for obstetrics and gynecology with the latest treatment and diagnostic equipment.

The President’s Decree “On main directions of further deepening reforms and implementing the State program for developing the healthcare” signed in September last year became yet another important step on the way to enhance the efficiency of medical aid to people. The document reflects on the objectives on further developing the domestic medicine in line with international standards.

In sum, thanks to a special attention on the part of the Uzbek Leader for over the years of independence the noble intentions take real shapes. The efforts of the state are directed at protecting the people’s health, upholding their vital interests, as well as providing for their well being.