Why are some public hospitals more expensive than private clinics? Musayev responds

Some State medical institutions in Uzbekistan offer services that are twice as expensive as those provided by private clinics.  On 11 August at the “Government Hour” in the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis (Parliament) MPs demanded explanations from Minister of Health Bekhzod Musayev on this issue.

Deputy of the Legislative Chamber J. Abdurasulov noted that the prices for medical services provided by state medical organizations are approved by the Antimonopoly committee, the Ministries of Finance and Health, and the prices for some services, provided by the Children’s National Medical Center (cost of tests, laboratory tests, ultrasound, etc. tests) is 2 times more expensive than the price of private clinics.

“Although free services are provided to patients coming from the districts with the order, these services are paid for from the state budget.  Is there any reason to calculate these prices? Who will control the prices?” - the MP said.

Minister Musayev answered this question and said that the office is gaining experience in the insurance protection system.

“Thanks for the in-depth analysis of the problem.  We are gaining experience in the system of cost recovery through the insurance system.  In this connection, the State Insurance Fund has a board consisting of several ministries and departments.  When we met a month ago, we agreed to optimize some of the costs.  I would like to add some examples.

For example, in a urological center, the length of hospital treatment is 12 days according to the treatment protocol.  Currently, according to world practice, urology is operated with the help of new medical technologies, and there is no need for more than three days of treatment.  I want to say one thing that today the National Medical Center of Children operates at 50% of the state budget and 50% from its own budget.  I determined the definitions you mentioned," - Musayev said.

The member of the government also added that working groups would be formed not only in the NCMC, but also in other medical institutions, and the possibilities of optimization, simplification, and cheapening would be examined.

“As a result, we will be able to treat more patients belonging to the benefit group from the 556-billion budget allocated to the state insurance fund”, - Musayev says.