On November 10, the President of Uzbekistan met with medical and pharmaceutical workers, congratulating them on their professional holiday, Medical Workers’ Day.
Over the past five years, approximately $624,000 has been allocated to specialized medical centers, and thousands of pieces of modern equipment have been purchased. At the same time, the efficiency of its use is only 25%. The president emphasized the need to prioritize the development of digitalization, the modernization of clinical protocols, the introduction of advanced diagnostics and prevention, as well as the formation of professional teams in the regions.
Now, the directors of 26 specialized centers, heads of regional and district health care systems, and heads of family clinics will work according to monthly plans, visit problem areas and mahallas, analyze the causes of morbidity, propose solutions, and train local doctors. Daily meetings with healthcare managers will be held at the mahalla level, and each manager will be required to ensure attentive and prompt treatment of patients.
Starting in the new year, the procedure for appointing heads of medical institutions will change: the positions of director and chief physician will be separated, and entrepreneurs with management training and proven results will be eligible for leadership positions.
The incentive system will also be modernized: the best managers will be awarded titles, orders, medals, and cash bonuses of up to $2,497, and $41,000 will be allocated to improve the infrastructure of institutions. The best specialists will be sent abroad for training.
The development of medical education continues: faculties of general medicine are being opened, and residency and master’s programs in family medicine are being launched. Students will study free of charge and work as doctors at the same time, receiving a 150% salary bonus upon completion of their studies. Support for nurses has been strengthened: a Higher Academy of Professional Medicine is being created, quotas for higher nursing education are being doubled, and from 2027, the annual increase will be at least 20%, and nurses with higher education will receive a 100% salary bonus.
A new system of continuous professional development is being created, including distance learning, AI-based simulator training, and independent learning in the workplace. To this end, a Center for Continuing Professional Medical Education will be established.
The president noted that the private sector already provides about 30% of medical services, and the state is ready to expand public-private partnerships. Tax breaks on the import of equipment and ambulances will be extended for three years, part of the VAT will be refunded to private medical organizations, and entrepreneurs will be provided with a preferential credit line of $200 million to create modern multidisciplinary clinics.
In conclusion, the Head of State emphasized the importance of professionalism and dedication of medical workers, instructed to continue reforms, improve the quality of services, and introduce modern technologies, noting that this will make Uzbekistan’s healthcare system accessible and effective for all citizens.
Ukrainian private clinics find opportunities to continue working and provide medical services to the citizens of the country during the blackout, according to the results of a survey conducted by the Interfax-Ukraine agency.
In turn, the Adonis medical group of companies reported that, in particular, their clinic in Sofiyivska Borschahivka in Kyiv operates during a power outage in the normal mode and receives patients according to the appointment schedule, and the maternity hospital accepts women around the clock. At the same time, planned and emergency hospitalization and emergency care continue.
Adonis noted that the clinic has an autonomous power supply system, so there is light in each subsection 24/7, which allows the inpatient treatment of patients to continue even during power outages.
“At first, due to blackout, we urgently resolved a number of organizational issues, such as the delivery of technical and drinking water and the search for fuel for generators. But now the branch has large reserves and is ready for any challenges of the present. The clinic is equipped with everything necessary. Therefore, our patients are in comfortable conditions, have unlimited access to drinking water, and have the opportunity to charge gadgets,” the clinic said.
At the same time, the Adonis branch in Podil also operates 24/7, is provided with water, and in case of power outage, a generator runs. All types of services are provided there, such as consultations, diagnostics, laboratory tests, surgical interventions, a hospital and an ambulance work.
Adonis on Osokorky also operates as usual during power outage and accepts patients according to the schedule. At the same time, the cryobank and embryo laboratory located in the clinic are additionally provided with stable backup power sources, however, at present, ultrasound diagnostics do not work during power outages.
Adonis noted that clinics are provided with generators and the needs of clinics are covered by 100%. In addition, there are separate power supplies for both the outpatient and operating rooms and the embryology laboratory. Surgical and inpatient medical care is provided in branches operating 24/7.
At the same time, Adonis noted that when dealing with energy supply issues, they “found themselves in a strange situation where the local residential community blocked the installation of additional power generators.”
“We have found a compromise solution and are now at the stage of setting up a generator that will meet the needs of our patients, including surgical ones, by 100%. The clinic is equipped with everything necessary. Our patients are in comfortable conditions, have unlimited access to drinking water, and can charge gadgets. Heat is supplied centrally,” the company said.
The Leleka medical center reported that their center continues to operate from a generator to which all critical nodes are connected, so there is water, heat and light.
“We are provided with everything: both heat and water due to engineering system solutions, which was thought out during construction in 2015. We provide all medical services as usual. There are generators that allow us to continue working, conduct consultations, take tests, diagnose, and operate, provide resuscitation. Medical equipment is working, food is being prepared,” the clinic said.
The main problem with blackouts is the high cost of fuel for the generators.
“It’s more expensive than electricity,” the medical center explained.
“There are interruptions in mobile communications and the Internet during blackouts, which we cannot influence. But this does not affect the safety of patients, but simply adds certain service inconveniences,” the clinic said.
Ukrainian private clinics in blackout conditions find opportunities to continue their work and provide medical services to citizens, results of a survey conducted by Interfax-Ukraine.
For example, the private ophthalmology center of family ophthalmology Zorkoclinic noted that since the beginning of full-scale hostilities the clinic has continued to work, providing people with ophthalmic care wherever possible.
“Blackouts really hurt us because it’s impossible to work effectively in a blackout. Most of the equipment has to be plugged in. Most, but not all, so we have completely revised the logistics of our customers and agreed on a certain procedure”, – said in Zorkoclinic.
It was explained that during blackouts the clinic treats patients who can be treated without electricity, in particular those with inflammatory eye diseases, eye injuries, as well as those who need to monitor the intraocular pressure and fundus examinations, because the equipment required for this purpose runs off-line on batteries. In addition, the clinic is developing an online consultation service.
At the same time, Zorkoclinic reported that they plan to connect their own generator at the end of November, as there is not enough battery power for full operation.
The main problem faced by the clinic’s physicians during the blackout was the lack of resources for the urgent purchase of everything necessary to establish an autonomous system of work, coordinating the connection of the generator to the common system and the lack of communication, as well as the provision of heating and water.
“The clinic rooms are electrically heated, so it is currently quite chilly in the rooms. We are considering installing large thermoses so that warm water is available all the time for both staff and clients. We buy water for drinking, as always, but the technical water should be kept at the ready”, – they explained to the agency.
They also noted problems with communication, to solve which helped the Internet provider, whose services are used by the clinic, providing a continuous connection to the Internet.
“While we understood a clear schedule of outages, we carefully planned the appointments with the schedule in mind. Now we very much agree with clients that we will call them as soon as the lights come on. This is very disciplined everyone, and clients are sympathetic to this, “- stressed in Zorkoclinic.
In turn, the Medical Group of Companies (MGC) Adonis said that, in particular, their clinic in Sofievskaya Borschagivka in Kiev is working in normal mode and receives patients according to the schedule, and a maternity hospital takes women in labor around the clock. At the same time, planned and emergency hospitalization and urgent care continue.
Adonis noted that the clinic has an autonomous power supply system, so there is light in each unit 24/7, which allows patients to continue inpatient care even during a power outage.
“At first, because of the blackout, we had to deal with a number of organizational issues urgently, such as delivering technical and potable water and finding fuel for the generators. But now the branch has a large inventory and is ready for any calls of the present. The clinic is stocked with everything we need. Therefore, our and the patients are in comfortable conditions, have unlimited access to drinking water, have the ability to charge their gadgets, “- commented in the clinic of the problems faced by doctors because of blackouts.
At the same time MGC Adonis branch on Podol also works 24/7, is provided with water, and a generator works in case of power outage. All kinds of services are provided there, such as consultations, diagnostics, laboratory tests, surgical interventions, in-patient department and ambulance service.
Adonis on Osokorki also works in the normal mode and accepts patients according to the schedule. The cryobank and the embryological laboratory in the IVF department of the clinic are additionally provided with stable backup power supply, but currently the ultrasound diagnostics does not work during power outages.
MGK Adonis noted that the clinics are provided with generators and the needs of the clinics are covered by 100%. In addition, there are separate power sources for both the outpatient and surgical units and the embryology laboratory. Surgical and inpatient medical care at Adonis is provided in the branches, which operate 24/7.
That said, Adonis pointed out that when dealing with power issues, they “found themselves in a strange situation where the local housing community was blocking the installation of additional power generators.”
“We found a compromise solution and are now in the process of setting up a generator that will supply our patients’ needs, including surgical patients, 100 percent. The clinic is equipped with everything we need. Our patients are comfortable, have unlimited access to drinking water, and can charge their gadgets. Heat is supplied centrally,” the company said.
In turn, the medical network “Dobrobut” reported that as of November 29, most of its 16 medical centers are equipped with generators, and some clinics are still working on installation of battery power.
Both of Dobrobut’s hospitals (on Semya Idzikovskikh St. and Lubomir Guzar St. in Kiev) have autonomous power sources, and their patients continue to receive all necessary medical care and assistance.
“We continue to provide all types of medical care. In particular, you can receive any type of medical care round the clock in our large hospital at 3 Idzikovskikh St., where even in the absence of power supply the hospital, admission department, intensive care unit, surgical operating rooms continue to work and outpatient care is provided. Instrumental diagnostic equipment, including MRI, CT, ultrasound, as well as laboratory equipment, i.e. it is possible to make tests,” – the company said.
At the same time, in other clinics of the network, even during the blackout period, outpatient reception continues, laboratory tests can be done, and in some units it is still possible to make ultrasound and other available instrumental diagnostic services.
At the same time, the clinic stressed that in unpredictable situations, when, for example, the generator does not start, physicians warn patients about the situation and other possibilities of the network clinics.
“Before the visit, you can call the call center “Dobrobut”, and in case there is no connection, but there is access to the Internet, we have created electronic boxes, which can be used to make an appointment or ask a question. If there is no connection at all, you can simply come to any of the Dobrobut medical centers.
That said, even during alarm and curfew times, Dobrobut continues to have emergency care available.
“All clinics have an ample supply of drinking water, Dobrobut coffee shops continue to operate, where you can buy hot tea and coffee, as well as snacks with warm food,” the nurse specified.
The company also reported on its plans to soon open a large hospital on the left bank of the Dnieper River in Kiev, where an in-patient department will operate and a powerful generator will be installed to cover all medical needs of the medical center. However, the company noted that under conditions of constant stabilization and emergency shutdowns, it is quite difficult to plan and carry out technical work on the installation of generators. Accordingly, installation work takes longer.
The Leleka Medical Center, when asked by Interfax-Ukraine, said that their center continues to operate from the generator, to which all critical units are connected, so there is water, heat and light.
“We are provided with everything: both heat and water due to engineering system solutions, which was thought out back during construction in 2015. We provide all medical services as usual. There are generators that allow us to continue working, conducting consultations, taking tests, diagnostics, surgical interventions, deliveries, resuscitation assistance. Medical equipment is working and food is being prepared,” the clinic reported.
The main problem associated with the blackout is the high cost of fuel for the generator. “It’s more expensive than electricity,” the medical center explained,
“There are cell phone and Internet outages during blackouts that we can’t affect. But it doesn’t affect patient safety, it just adds some service inconvenience,” the clinic clarified.
Blackouts, DOBROBUT, KIEV, Private clinics, Zorkoclinic, АДОНИС, Лелека
