Those selling fake medical orders caught in Tashkent

Several individuals involved in preparing and selling preferential treatment orders have been detained in Tashkent, the Ministry of Health reported.

According to the ministry, a citizen identified as G.M. regularly advertised on Telegram that he could arrange preferential treatment orders for any hospital in the capital, charging between 1.5–2 million soums. He claimed to do so through “trusted” contacts working in district medical associations.

On August 12, the Ministry’s Internal Control Department for Anti-Corruption, in cooperation with the Department for Combating Economic Crimes under the Prosecutor General’s Office, conducted a control operation. As a result, G.M., his accomplices, and several medical workers were detained.

Investigators discovered that G.M.’s associate, M.Q., was carrying a referral belonging to another citizen, M.G. They also found treatment orders for the Ibn Sino City Clinical Hospital No. 1. To legitimize the referral, laboratory and instrumental tests, along with extracts from the patient’s medical record, had been signed by doctors at a family clinic in the Shaykhantohur district and stamped with the institution’s seal.

During the inquiry, explanatory letters were obtained from the heads of family clinics, other institutions in the capital, and medical staff. The Department for Combating Economic Crimes is now considering opening a criminal case and launching a formal investigation.

It is worth noting that earlier reports identified Uzbekistan’s healthcare system as the most corruption-prone sector. In just the first three months of this year, 527 corruption-related cases were registered in this sphere.