Healthcare - The Times Of Central Asia

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Healthcare Uzbekistan ranking

Uzbekistan Tops Central Asia in 2024 Healthcare Ranking

Uzbekistan has been ranked as having the best healthcare system in Central Asia, according to the 2024 Health Care Index published by CEOWORLD magazine. The country placed 64th globally with a score of 36.26. Kazakhstan followed in 78th place with 34.28 points, while Turkmenistan ranked 95th with 27.3 points. The index evaluates 110 countries based on the quality of healthcare services, including infrastructure, the competency of medical professionals, and access to care. Taiwan topped the global list with a score of 78.72, while El Salvador came in last with 18.6 points. Other countries ranking in the top 10 include South Korea (2nd), Sweden (5th), and Germany (8th). Healthcare and Tourism Growth The report coincides with a notable increase in foreign tourism to Uzbekistan. In January–February 2025, the country welcomed 1.3 million international visitors, a 37.1% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Officials suggest that improved healthcare services could further enhance the country's appeal as a travel destination, potentially boosting medical and wellness tourism. Uzbeks Rank High in Global Happiness Index In another recent international ranking, Uzbekistan also stood out for overall wellbeing. The Centre for the Study of Wellbeing at the University of Oxford and the Gallup Institute placed Uzbekistan 53rd in its global happiness index, above Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The study includes two key components. The first is based on respondents' self-assessment of life satisfaction on a scale from 0 to 10; in Uzbekistan, the average score was 6.2. The second examines responses related to charitable giving, lawfulness, helping strangers, and reactions to emotional experiences, both positive and negative.

Taxation Medicines Tax Policy Healthcare

Kazakh MPs Propose Differentiated Taxation for Medicines and Healthcare

Kazakh lawmakers are pushing for a differentiated tax policy on medicines and healthcare services to maintain their affordability amid upcoming tax reforms. Askhat Aimagambetov, a deputy of the Mazhilis (Kazakhstan’s lower house of parliament), has proposed exempting certain essential medicines from value-added tax (VAT) and reducing the tax burden on medical institutions. Proposed VAT Adjustments Kazakhstan is currently debating a new Tax Code that would increase the VAT rate from 12% to 16%, while introducing zero and reduced rates for specific industries. Aimagambetov, writing on social media, noted that a group of Mazhilis deputies had repeatedly advocated for differentiated taxation of medicines and medical services even before discussions on the VAT hike began. He stressed that applying the full 16% VAT rate to all medical services and pharmaceuticals would lead to a sharp rise in costs and reduce access to healthcare for the population. Tax Exemptions for Essential Medicines To mitigate this impact, lawmakers propose VAT exemptions for drugs treating socially significant diseases such as: Cancer Rare diseases Palliative care Diabetes Autoimmune diseases “The specific list is still under discussion and will be expanded,” Aimagambetov stated. “This measure will prevent a sharp increase in drug prices for those who need them most, socially vulnerable groups.” For other medicines, a reduced VAT rate of 10% is under consideration. Impact on Medical Services Currently, medical services in Kazakhstan are not subject to VAT. However, under the new Tax Code, the government proposes introducing a 10% VAT rate. Aimagambetov and his colleagues initially suggested reducing this to 5%, but discussions are now focused on exempting certain socially significant medical services from VAT entirely. These include: Oncology treatments Palliative care (hospices) Stroke treatment Potentially obstetrics and other critical medical services For other medical services, a 10% VAT rate may be introduced. Changes to Corporate Tax in Healthcare In addition to VAT adjustments, the government plans to raise the corporate income tax for medical institutions. Currently, this sector benefits from a zero-tax rate, but under the proposed reforms, a 10% corporate tax would be applied. Consultations with Businesses Ongoing As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the government plans to finalize the list of industries eligible for the 10% VAT rate following consultations with the business community.

Public health health security USAID Healthcare

Tajikistan’s Health Ministry Seeks Alternative to USAID Assistance in Combating Deadly Diseases

Tajikistan’s Ministry of Health is exploring alternative funding sources following the suspension of USAID programs. The recent freeze on U.S. foreign aid has affected several health initiatives in Tajikistan, particularly those focused on combating HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. At a press conference, Health Minister Jamoliddin Abdullozoda stated that authorities are seeking new mechanisms to sustain these programs. “USAID has played a key role in the fight against HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, as well as in maternal and child health. Until the agency’s future involvement is clarified, we intend to mobilize other resources,” Abdullozoda said. One of Tajikistan’s main partners remains the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, which continues to finance drug supplies and testing. The Health Ministry confirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperation with the Fund and engaging additional international organizations. Tajikistan's Republican Center for AIDS Prevention and Control clarified that USAID did not provide antiretroviral therapy (ARV) drugs or testing kits. Instead, the agency’s primary role was offering psychological and social support to HIV patients, mainly through nongovernmental organizations. According to official data, 12,480 people living with HIV are currently registered in Tajikistan’s healthcare system, including 1,022 children. In 2023, 293 new cases were detected among labor migrants. However, the overall number of registered HIV cases declined by 98 compared to previous years. Regarding tuberculosis, Tajikistan recorded 4,545 new cases in 2023 and 4,537 in 2024. The health minister attributed the slight increase to improved diagnostic capabilities. The country now has 77 tuberculosis diagnostic machines, 84 BAG laboratories, and 40 specialized devices for detecting infections.

Healthcare Social Security Public health Insurance Parliament

Criticism of Kazakhstan’s Health Insurance System Reaches Parliament

Members of Kazakhstan's Mazhilis (lower house of parliament) have voiced strong criticism of the country’s healthcare system, particularly the Social Health Insurance Fund, which they argue has lost public trust. Many citizens reportedly view the quality of medical services as unsatisfactory. Kazakhstan operates a system of compulsory social medical insurance, wherein doctors' services are funded through a combination of contributions from working citizens, their employers, and the state budget. These financial contributions are collected by the Social Health Insurance Fund, which then allocates the funds to medical institutions based on the volume of services provided to the population. Speaking in Parliament, Health Minister Akmaral Alnazarova defended the system, claiming that it has led to improvements in key health and demographic indicators since its introduction. “Today, 83% of Kazakhstanis are connected to the compulsory social health insurance system, 72% of whom are from vulnerable segments of the population. This demonstrates the availability of medical care in the country,” Alnazarova stated. However, Mazhilis Deputy Chairman Dania Yespayeva pointed out that despite increasing healthcare budgets, public satisfaction with medical services continues to decline. According to surveys, up to 47% of Kazakhstanis consider the quality of domestic healthcare to be poor. Deputy Askhat Aimagambetov echoed these concerns, accusing medical institutions of manipulating service statistics to secure additional funding from the Social Health Insurance Fund. He cited a case where a five-month-old child, who had not yet developed teeth, was recorded as having received dental services. Aimagambetov also claimed that hospitals sometimes charge the insurance fund for dozens of services provided to the same patient in a single day - an impossibility. “The financing system encourages such behavior because payments are based on the quantity of services rendered, not on the effectiveness of treatment. As a result, the [Social Health Insurance Fund] has become a de facto bank for the Ministry of Health. Citizens and doctors alike have become hostages of inconsistent and poorly planned reforms, while the availability and quality of care have deteriorated. The system remains underfunded, and the resources it does have are spent inefficiently,” Aimagambetov stated. He emphasized the need for stricter oversight of the reports submitted by medical institutions to the insurance fund for reimbursement. Currently, inspections cover only about 1% of these reports, a figure Aimagambetov described as insufficient. Public dissatisfaction with health care is also reflected in broader trends. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, approximately 5% of Kazakhstanis considering emigration cite access to better medical services abroad as a primary reason.

incident Children Healthcare Security Education

Kindergarten in Uzbekistan Stages Dangerous Show with Poisonous Cobras

A kindergarten in Uzbekistan sparked widespread outrage after staging a performance involving poisonous Central Asian cobras, a species listed in the Red Book of Uzbekistan's endangered plant and animals. Footage of the event, which was shared on social media, showed the snakes being handled in close proximity to children, raising serious concerns about safety and animal welfare. In the video, a man can be seen demonstrating two venomous snakes to a group of young children, with no apparent safety measures in place. The cobras were allowed to move freely on the floor near the children. The Uzbek language heard in the recording confirms the location as Uzbekistan, but the exact location of the kindergarten has yet to be identified. The incident has prompted public outcry, with many questioning the judgment of the organizers and the lack of safeguards for the children. So far, the Ministry of Preschool and School Education has refrained from issuing an official statement. The situation has caught the attention of the Children's Ombudsman in Uzbekistan. The Ombudsman’s press service announced that law enforcement agencies are actively working to determine the circumstances and location of the performance, as well as the identities of those responsible. A full investigation is underway, and the organizers’ actions will be subject to legal assessment once the inquiry is complete. This is not the first time unauthorized animal performances have taken place in Uzbekistan. In December of last year, a similar case was reported in the Koshrabad district of the Samarkand region. Two individuals held unauthorized shows at schools and kindergartens, featuring a tiger python. The snake was later confiscated and handed over to the regional department of ecology. These incidents highlight a recurring issue of unregulated animal performance in educational institutions, raising questions about safety, legal oversight, and the ethical treatment of wildlife.

Public health Medicine health security Pharmaceuticals Healthcare

Kyrgyzstan Gears Toward Self-Sufficiency in Medication

Kyrgyzstan has taken a significant step toward reducing its dependence on imported pharmaceuticals with the launch of domestic medicine production at the Aidan Pharma pharmaceutical plant. The facility has begun manufacturing its first batch of essential medications, including: Paracetamol (suspensions and tablets); Ibuprofen (suspensions); Acetylsalicylic acid (tablets); and Acyclovir (tablets). The plant has the capacity to produce up to 10,000 packages of each of these medicines per day, offering an important boost to the country’s pharmaceutical industry. In late 2023, Aidan Pharma began producing medical ethyl alcohol, which is now supplied to state hospitals and pharmacies. During a visit to the plant on January 10, Health Minister Alymkadyr Beishenaliev announced plans to expand the plant’s product range to 100 items by the end of this year. He also revealed that the company intends to begin exporting its products in the future. “The plant's products meet quality standards and have a low production cost, making them more affordable compared to imported medicines,” Beishenaliev noted. The Kyrgyz government has prioritized reducing the country’s reliance on imported medications. In December 2024, the Cabinet of Ministers approved an investment agreement for a Kyrgyz-Chinese pharmaceutical project led by Standard Pharm Group. This initiative will focus on packaging pharmaceuticals and constructing a new pharmaceutical plant in Kyrgyzstan. The project, which will be implemented in two stages over five years, is expected to attract over $41 million in investment. According to Minister of Economy and Commerce Bakyt Sydykov, the plant will manufacture a range of medicines, including: Nutritional infusions; Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic medications; Analgesics; Hypoglycemic treatments; and Gastrointestinal drugs. Most of these medicines are included in Kyrgyzstan’s List of Vital Medicines, a critical inventory of essential pharmaceuticals that are currently not produced domestically. The development of Kyrgyzstan’s pharmaceutical industry marks a critical shift toward self-sufficiency in healthcare. By expanding domestic production, the government aims to make essential medications more accessible and affordable for its population while fostering economic growth through investment and exports.