The qualitatively new conditions for private clinics to take a more active part in the advancement of the healthcare, the introduction of modern high-tech methods of diagnosis and treatment into practice are created in Uzbekistan. The President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a Decree “On measures to further develop the private sector in healthcare”.
There was cardinally expanded the list of activities allowed for private medical organizations. Now the private sector will be able to take an active part in the advancement of such high-tech areas of the healthcare as cardiosurgery, neurosurgery, microsurgery, oncology, endocrinology, cardiology, vascular, thoracic and abdominal surgery, urology and others, covering all types of medical activities. The state will keep a monopoly only in areas related to a high level of risk to the life, health and sanitary-epidemiological well-being of the population.
The relevance of this solution was also spoken on social networks. In particular, lately such popular Facebook groups as “Doctors of Tashkent”, “Parents.Uz”, “I have a question, I’m looking for an answer”, “Consumer Plus … ” actively discussed the work possibilities of children’s neurologists in private clinics. It even became the reason for the parents’ appeal to the virtual reception of the President. Participants in the discussions were convinced that the private clinics were able to provide services with comfort and greater convenience than in public medical institutions. With the adoption of the decree this issue will be tackled, the private clinics shall have the right to provide services for children’s neuropathology.
Newly introduced high-tech methods of treatment and diagnostics in private medical organizations, especially involving surgical interventions, are allowed only with the availability of appropriate medical equipment, highly qualified medical personnel and strict observance of sanitary norms and rules.
There was approved the Program of measures on further stimulating the advancement of private medical organizations. From May 1, the limiting annual average number of employees of small businesses in the healthcare sector will grow up to 100. There was provided a broad realization of the public, unused buildings and premises, especially public property objects of liquidated health care institutions at zero redemption value with accepting investment and social obligations from the side of new owners by the businesses and organizations that are engaged in providing medical services.
It is planned to elaborate the measures on expanding the volume of procurement and leasing of modern high-tech equipment to medical organizations in a monthly period. To do this, the authorized capital of the specialized leasing company “Uzmedlizing” will be increased, including by attracting foreign investors.
Tax and customs benefits will promote the development of the private healthcare sector. Private medical organizations that render paid medical services to the population (except dental and cosmetic services), including those with the participation of foreign investors, are exempted from the payment of all types of taxes and mandatory deductions to the state trust funds, as well as the customs payments until January 1, 2022. Released funds will be directed not only to enhance the material and technical base of clinics, but also to create conditions for free medical care for socially vulnerable categories of citizens in these clinics.
Commercial banks also received corresponding instructions. They are recommended to provide long-term preferential loans on a broad basis to private medical organizations for the purchase of modern medical equipment, including abroad, the formation of seed capital, the acquisition of buildings and facilities for the provision of medical services. In addition, the allocation of consumer loans to the population to receive medical services in private medical organizations using modern information technologies, including on the basis of paying by bank credit cards will be also introduced in the practice.
