Forthcoming Changes in Healthcare System
Within the framework of the presidential resolution on improving primary healthcare, rural family clinics and 441 ambulance stations were established on the basis of 793 rural medical units (RMUs).
Buildings of 658 abolished RMUs were transferred to the doctors as official housing. Of the 1.2 thousand ambulances which are scheduled to be delivered to the places during the current year, 646 have already been delivered to July 1, including 126 Damas vehicles for the city of Tashkent.
These facts were noted as qualitative changes in this direction at the video-conference meeting that was devoted to the issues of further enhancement of the healthcare system and the solution of problems in this sphere and conducted under the leadership of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev. At the same time, the head of state drew the attention of the heads of the ministry to certain shortcomings that must be eliminated in the near future.
The unsatisfactory level of work of the patronage service was indicated. In this regard, the Cabinet of Ministers was instructed to prepare a regulation that specifically defines the essence and main objectives of its activities.
The issue of the shortage of medical personnel in the regions is acute. In order to change the situation positively it was entrusted to develop a separate program on creating the necessary conditions for medical workers, in particular, providing them with affordable housing on the basis of preferential mortgage loans and the allocation of consumer loans to them.
There are a number of unresolved issues in the development of the private medical sector. It was noted that in accordance with the decree of the head of our state from April 1 this year, restrictions on the activities of private medical institutions were abolished, they were granted a number of privileges, all types of high-tech operations were allowed. However despite the created wide opportunities, passivity in the advancement of the sphere is tolerated. The reasons of this situation were critically analyzed, it was indicated that there were serious shortcomings in this issue, especially in the Syrdarya, Jizzakh, Navoi, Kashkadarya regions and the Republic of Karakalpakstan.
Hokimiyats (local administrations) on the spot were criticized for insufficient attention to attracting investments in private medicine, supporting the entrepreneurs who want to establish a private medical institution. Appropriate orders and instructions on the development of the private sector in the healthcare system were given. In particular, the organization of the Fund for the Development of Non-Governmental Medical Institutions under “Asakabank” was deemed expedient. On the instructions of the head of state, $ 14 million was allocated to this Fund from additional financial sources.
It was entrusted to take measures to attract highly qualified doctors from abroad, to effectively use their knowledge and potential.
During the meeting it was noted serious problems in the field of drug provision and pricing. The relevant organizations were instructed to elaborate the mechanisms for the production of drugs with fixed prices, securing their continued availability in pharmacies and issuing them on prescription.
