Dilshod Soliev, 40, has a kidney problem that has required him to undergo hemodialysis on a regular basis for the past few years at the Syrdarya regional hospital in Uzbekistan.

“It was difficult to receive the care I needed. I waited in long queues, and single-use devices and filters were not available. I had to wait a week to receive test results,” Dilshod said.

Now, hope for more effective health care closer to the community is on the way for Dilshod and many others with chronic conditions. The government is promoting a renewed emphasis on population health management where family physicians with a teams of nurses will play a central role in prevention of chronic diseases, early detection and long-term care.

Strengthened primary health care (PHC) teams with rationalized hospital care and the optimal joint use of resources will lead to successful health system reform. A Syrdarya Oblast multiprofile centre is part of a pilot project to strengthen health service delivery. More importantly, the lessons learned from the project will inform the rollout of effective services at community-based levels across the whole country. 

Dr Azam Kholmatov works in the Syrdarya Oblast multiprofile centre and said, “I am proud that my region was selected as pilot site for the health systems reform. With the implementation of state health insurance and planned changes, more people in Uzbekistan will be able to receive better quality services under this benefit package.” 

Reforming the health system to achieve UHC  

Uzbekistan’s health system required reforms in three areas: quality of services, equity in health financing and efficiency in health spending. From 2019-2025 the government is embarking on a far-reaching and ambitious reform agenda with an overall objective for Uzbekistan to improve the health of the whole population through universal health coverage (UHC).

WHO, through the UHC Partnership, has provided technical support to the government throughout the process, to lay the foundation for a strong and sustainable health system. Uzbekistan is among the 115 countries and areas to which the UHC Partnership helps deliver WHO support and technical expertise in advancing UHC with a PHC approach. The Partnership is funded by the European Union (EU), the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Irish Aid, the Government of Japan, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the United Kingdom – Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Belgium.

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