Dear healthcare system workers!
On this blessed day, I sincerely congratulate you, dear guardians of the people's health, on your professional holiday widely celebrated in our country – Medical Workers' Day, and express my high respect and best wishes to all of you.
It is clear to all of us that health is a priceless wealth and a great blessing for every person and the whole society. We all understand well that only a healthy person and a healthy people are capable of unparalleled deeds.
In this sense, if we say that the wise call of our ancestor Mir Alisher Navoi, "Be both a soul in the body of the people of the age, and a source of healing for their souls," is dedicated precisely to selfless and devoted people like you, we will not be mistaken.
We highly appreciate your effective activity in developing a new healthcare system in New Uzbekistan and sincerely thank you on behalf of the nation for your honorable and responsible work.
Dear doctors!
You are well aware, of course, that in our country, strengthening public health has been defined as one of the priority directions in the state policy aimed at exalting the value of a person and ensuring their vital interests in practice.
Speaking of this, it must be emphasized that in recent years, the volume of funds allocated from the state budget to the healthcare sector has increased 6-fold, the material and technical base of healthcare institutions and the qualifications of personnel have fundamentally improved. Medical services have been brought closer to the population, and quality medical services are being brought to the local level. Most importantly, every compatriot feels the results of such changes in their own lives. For example, more than 400 high-tech medical services previously provided only in the capital are now being implemented in the regions and districts themselves.
A new model of primary health care based on international experience is being introduced. The fact that 490 institutions have been reorganized in our regions in a short period and 350 independent family polyclinics with legal status have started operating is the result of our work in this area.
The reduction in the maternal mortality rate in our country from 21 per 100,000 in 2017 to 11 per 100,000, and the infant mortality rate from 11.5 per 1,000 to 7.8 per 1,000 is also a result of the reforms being implemented in the sector.
This year, for the first time, robotic technologies have been introduced into state medical institutions. Last year, the digitization of healthcare was raised to a completely new level.
The unified electronic information platform E-SAQLIK was launched in the sector, containing the medical data of more than 36 million people. The "Digital Healthcare" Center was opened within the system of the Ministry.
The types of medical examinations and treatments performed based on artificial intelligence have reached 43.
The introduction of an electronic call management system in the emergency medical service was also an important innovation. Work on the introduction of state health insurance mechanisms is being consistently continued.
The share of the private sector in healthcare is increasing. The fact that in the past eight years the number of private clinics in our country has increased from 3,500 to 9,000, and the types of medical services they provide have increased from 50 to almost 130, is clear evidence of this.
The volume of national products in our country's pharmaceutical market has increased, with production growing from 1.4 trillion soums in 2017 to 6.3 trillion soums, and the volume of exports increasing from 6.3 million dollars to 250 million dollars.
To improve the system of training personnel for the sector, the Tashkent State Medical University was established on the basis of three existing higher education institutions. The Urgench State Medical Institute began its activities. The Samarkand State Medical University secured a place in the prestigious international Times Higher Education (THE) ranking. The number of medical higher education institutions that have passed international accreditation is 8.
This year, about 300 of our specialists improved their knowledge and skills in dozens of developed foreign countries.
When we say that the improvement of the living conditions of our country's population and the increase in average life expectancy from 73.8 years to 75.1 years also contains a worthy share of you, sector workers who are faithful to your profession and official duties and hardworking, we are stating the truth.
Respected doctors!
Today, preserving the peace and health of our people is of decisive importance in achieving the great goals we have set before us. Because a people and a nation that strengthen peace and health, believe in their own strength and capabilities, and always strive forward will undoubtedly achieve their good goals.
I believe that you, dear ones, will continue to work with even greater energy and dedication to raise the development of the sector to a new level with your rich knowledge and experience, skills and mastery, to consistently continue the glorious traditions of Uzbek medicine, and to master the advanced achievements of world medicine.
In turn, issues of duly appreciating the services of sector workers and creating comprehensively favorable conditions for them will continue to be the focus of attention of our state and society.
Once again congratulating you on your professional holiday, I wish you all good health, great success in your work, family happiness, and peace and abundance to your homes.
Always be well, may your hands be free of pain, dear doctors!
Shavkat Mirziyoyev,
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan
