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Healthcare

Uzbekistan and Russia to Develop Nuclear Medicine Strategy Ahead of 2026 Center Opening

Uzbekistan will develop a roadmap and long-term strategy for the advancement of nuclear medicine, according to the press service of the Atomic Energy Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers, Uzatom. The announcement followed a working meeting held on February 10 at Uzatom to discuss prospects for expanding nuclear medicine in the country. The meeting brought together representatives of the Ministry of Health, the Healthcare Projects Center, the Committee for Industrial, Radiation and Nuclear Safety, the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Academy of Sciences, the state enterprise Radiopreparat, leading medical centers, and experts from Rosatom’s engineering division, underscoring growing cooperation between Uzbekistan and Russia in the sector. During the discussions, the Russian side presented its experience in building modern nuclear medicine infrastructure, including cyclotron complexes, radiopharmaceutical production facilities, and PET/CT diagnostic centers, as well as implementing turnkey international projects. Following the talks, the parties agreed to jointly draft a roadmap and strategy that will provide a framework for technology transfer, specialist training, and improvements in healthcare services. The initiative is intended to strengthen early cancer diagnosis and expand access to advanced treatment methods based on nuclear technologies. The construction of a Nuclear Medicine Center in Tashkent has begun. The center is scheduled to be equipped in 2026 with PET/CT scanners, a cyclotron, a radiopharmaceutical laboratory, as well as Gamma Knife and CyberKnife systems. The broader program also involves upgrading oncology services, promoting early cancer detection, training medical personnel to international standards, and deepening cooperation with Russia and Rosatom. Uzatom stated that it will continue to support the introduction of advanced technologies aimed at improving access to modern cancer diagnostics and treatment. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, citing IQVIA data, Uzbekistan’s pharmaceutical market reached $2.14 billion in the twelve months to September 2025, reflecting continued expansion and rising demand for medical services.

Healthcare

Tokayev to Personally Oversee Probe Into Medical Insurance Fund Embezzlement

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has pledged to personally oversee the investigation into large-scale embezzlement from Kazakhstan’s Social Medical Insurance Fund (SMIF) and has instructed the government to accelerate the rollout of a unified national healthcare information system. The move follows a series of alarming revelations about systemic fraud in the medical insurance system. In January, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov ordered that control of the SMIF be transferred to the Ministry of Finance to bring financial flows under tighter oversight. Subsequent audits uncovered widespread violations, including the registration of fictitious patients, the billing of unnecessary medical services, duplicate financing of procedures, and even the provision of treatments to deceased citizens. The findings have been submitted to law enforcement agencies for investigation. Addressing an expanded government meeting, Tokayev stated that fraudulent activity in the social sector had reached “unprecedented proportions,” and emphasized that the Prosecutor General’s Office and other relevant bodies must investigate all instances of wrongdoing, regardless of the statute of limitations or the individuals involved. “I will personally oversee the investigation process,” the president declared. Tokayev attributed much of the abuse to the absence of a unified digital infrastructure in Kazakhstan’s healthcare system. More than 30 separate and unintegrated information systems are currently in use, creating serious gaps in oversight and traceability. In response, the president has ordered the government to finalize the development of a single, centralized state medical information system by December 1. The new platform is expected to provide full traceability of services and financial transactions, and to digitize all SMIF operations. Tokayev emphasized that digitization is essential for ensuring transparency and the proper use of public funds. As The Times of Central Asia previously reported, earlier this year, the government also announced it would cover health insurance contributions for more than one million unemployed citizens.

Healthcare

More Doctors in Tajikistan, but Shortages Persist

Despite a modest increase in the number of healthcare professionals, Tajikistan continues to face a significant shortage of medical personnel, particularly in rural regions. Authorities are hoping to bridge the gap through the recruitment of medical school graduates and the redistribution of existing specialists. At a press conference on January 28, Minister of Health and Social Protection Jamoliddin Abdullozoda reported that as of early 2026, there were 22,419 doctors and 64,909 mid-level medical personnel working in the country’s healthcare system. These figures represent a year-on-year increase of 1.9% and 2.3%, respectively. However, the staffing deficit remains unresolved. Tajikistan currently lacks 1,432 medical specialists. According to ministry estimates, the staffing rate for doctors stands at 94.3%, while for mid-level personnel it is 99.7%. These figures reflect slight improvements over the previous year, up 0.8% and 0.1%, respectively. The shortage is unevenly distributed across the country. In July 2025, the minister had noted a shortfall of 1,600 specialists for the first half of the year, indicating a reduction of nearly 170 positions in the latter half. Nevertheless, the situation remains critical in remote and underserved areas. Abdullozoda highlighted acute shortages in family medicine, as well as in the specialties of narcology, phthisiology, and radiology. In some regions, there is also a lack of gynecologists and surgeons. To address immediate needs, the ministry has compiled lists of district-level doctors who will be deployed to remote areas on a rotating basis. Authorities are also promoting personnel retraining to fill urgent gaps. “We are proposing that regions with shortages – for instance, if they lack radiologists – receive specialists from related fields such as surgery or traumatology. These doctors will undergo advanced training and then serve where they are most needed,” the minister explained. In the long term, the government plans to solve the shortage by mobilizing young professionals. According to Abdullozoda, if at least 50% of medical school graduates begin working in their field of study, the staffing issue could be resolved. The total number of students in medical universities reached 26,911 in 2026, an increase of 2,738 over the previous year. Enrolments in medical colleges also saw significant growth, with 80,000 students in the 2025–2026 academic year, up from 72,760 the year before.

Healthcare

Japan Provides Grant for Digital Diagnostics in Dushanbe

The Japanese government is continuing to expand its humanitarian cooperation with Tajikistan, with a renewed focus on strengthening the healthcare system and improving public access to medical services. On January 27, a grant agreement totaling $352,530 was signed under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) program. The GGP initiative supports the development of social infrastructure in partner countries by funding projects in healthcare, education, and local government. In this case, the grant will be used to supply Health Center No. 14 in Dushanbe’s Sino district, one of the capital’s most densely populated areas, with state-of-the-art diagnostic technology. The center will receive three modern Japanese-made digital fluorographs, which are expected to significantly improve the accuracy and speed of diagnoses, particularly for infectious diseases. The integration of this technology is intended to enhance both the quality and accessibility of healthcare services in the district, contributing to the broader strengthening of Dushanbe’s healthcare infrastructure. Japanese Ambassador Keiko Furuta emphasized the strategic nature of Japan’s cooperation with Tajikistan, referencing the first Central Asia + Japan Dialogue Summit held in Tokyo last December. The summit reaffirmed healthcare as one of the priority areas of regional collaboration. Japan has provided assistance to Tajikistan for over 30 years, dating back to the establishment of diplomatic relations. Through the GGP alone, 470 humanitarian projects, totaling $39.2 million, have been implemented across the country since 1996. These projects have largely supported local governments, healthcare and educational institutions, and international NGOs.

Healthcare

Kazakh Science Ministry Expands Strategic Partnership with AstraZeneca

Kazakhstan has entered a new phase of cooperation with British-Swedish pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca, expanding the partnership beyond healthcare into science, education, and innovation. On January 26, Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek visited AstraZeneca’s Discovery Centre in Cambridge, the company’s largest global research and innovation hub, where a memorandum of understanding was signed with AstraZeneca Kazakhstan. According to the ministry, the agreement paves the way for new areas of collaboration aimed at strengthening national scientific capacity, introducing advanced medical technologies, and enhancing the long-term sustainability of Kazakhstan’s healthcare system. The partnership will focus on several strategic areas: Real-World Data (RWD) and Real-World Evidence (RWE): Development of advanced data analytics tools to support scientific research, clinical decision-making, and evidence-based healthcare policy. Expansion of the Young Health Program: Prevention of non-communicable diseases among youth and the promotion of responsible health behaviors. Sustainable Development and Economic Diversification: Joint initiatives in environmental protection, green technologies, and sustainable business practices. Early Diagnosis and Healthcare Resilience: Implementation of modern screening methods, specialist training, and development of diagnostic infrastructure. Nurbek highlighted that the memorandum creates new opportunities to integrate research, education, and real-world clinical practice. “It is important not only to develop fundamental science, but also to ensure the transfer of advanced technologies and data into everyday medical practice. This partnership strengthens Kazakhstan’s scientific and biomedical potential,” he said. AstraZeneca has steadily expanded its operations in Kazakhstan in recent years. In April 2024, the Ministry of Healthcare, the Almaty city administration, national investment agency Kazakh Invest, and AstraZeneca signed an agreement on the contract manufacturing of biotechnological products. The initiative supports Kazakhstan’s strategic goal of increasing the share of domestically produced medicines to 50%. In July 2024, AstraZeneca and the state pharmaceutical distributor SK-Pharmacy signed a long-term agreement on local production and technology transfer. According to Maria Shipuleva, CEO of AstraZeneca Kazakhstan, the company’s innovative medicines will be produced at the Nobel Almaty Pharmaceutical Factory. The production portfolio includes treatments for diabetes, chronic heart failure, chronic kidney disease, multiple forms of leukemia, and cancer therapies for breast, ovarian, prostate, and pancreatic cancers.

Healthcare

Kazakhstan to Expand Use of AI for Early Detection of Strokes and Cancer

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Health is moving to expand the use of AI to improve early diagnosis of strokes, cancer, and other high-impact diseases. Officials say the rollout aims to reduce mortality, increase diagnostic accuracy, and ease the workload of healthcare professionals. According to the ministry, a list of priority AI initiatives has been compiled to help detect socially significant diseases at early stages and support clinical decision-making. The targeted areas include stroke, lung cancer, breast cancer, and dental diagnostics through the analysis of medical imagery using machine learning algorithms. Several platforms are already operational and are being integrated more widely into the national healthcare system. Among the current AI platforms in use: Cerebra – deployed in nine category II and III stroke centers across five regions, capable of identifying stroke symptoms in under three minutes; WDsoft – used in 190 healthcare facilities in 10 regions to assist in the early detection of cancer and pneumonia; AIDENTIS – adopted by 65 dental clinics and three medical universities to analyze X-ray imagery; ALIMA – an AI-based medical assistant now active in over 700 clinics nationwide. The ALIMA platform processes patient complaints, medical records, and images to suggest potential diagnoses, recommend examinations, and propose treatment plans aligned with clinical protocols. These AI initiatives rely on computing resources provided by the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, including eight graphics processors, and are supported through API-based integrations. Looking ahead, the Ministry of Health intends to introduce AI tools to evaluate pharmaceuticals and medical devices and to launch a project for early detection of chronic heart failure using the Smart ECG system. This technology enables remote interpretation of electrocardiograms in clinics that lack specialized functional diagnostics staff. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstani surgeons recently conducted the region's first joint replacement surgeries in Tashkent using the MAKO robotic system, another example of the country’s growing investment in med-tech innovation.