There is no problem with the number of doctors or financing. But what about the quality? – Mirziyoyev

Over the past seven years, funding allocated to the healthcare sector in Uzbekistan has increased sixfold, reaching 42 trillion soums this year. This was announced on May 7 during a videoconference chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, which focused on the next stage of reforms in the medical sector.

It was reported that a comprehensive system has been established to connect neighborhood-level primary care with specialized services. More than 400 high-tech procedures, which were previously available only in the capital, are now being performed in regional and district medical centers. However, only two kidney transplants are carried out per day.

There are currently 27 doctors per 10,000 residents in Uzbekistan, which is comparable to the figures in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Finland. In contrast, Turkey and Canada have 1.5 times fewer doctors per capita.

“You see, we have no problems with the number of medical personnel or financing. But what about the quality? There are many concerning questions in this regard,” the president stated.

It was noted that non-communicable diseases cost Uzbekistan’s economy an estimated \$1 billion annually. Moreover, a quarter of all ambulance calls are related to chronic illnesses.

For instance, a study conducted in 12 mahallas in Fergana revealed that eight out of ten patients bypassed their family doctor, opting instead to visit hospitals or private clinics. In Khorezm, patients tend to prefer calling ambulances over seeing family physicians. As a result, ambulances are increasingly functioning like polyclinics.

In the cities of Andijan, Namangan, and Samarkand, polyclinic doctors reportedly attend to 50–60 patients per day, a figure that falls short of accepted medical standards. In Bukhara, family doctors have effectively become "dispatchers," referring patients to hospitals rather than providing preventive care, screenings, or treatment. It was highlighted that neither healthcare authorities nor local governors have adequately addressed these issues.