PROTECTION OF PATIENT RIGHTS IN EMERGENCIES: UZBEKISTAN AND GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES

Uzbekistan’s legal framework broadly guarantees healthcare as a fundamental right. Its Constitution (Art. 48) and Health Protection Law affirm that citizens “have an inviolable right to health care” and that emergency medical services are provided free of charge. However, pandemics, conflicts or disasters can strain health systems and challenge patient rights. Internationally, norms reinforce such rights: for example, the WHO Constitution declares “the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is a fundamental right”, and the EU’s Charter guarantees the right to preventive and curative care with informed consent. This paper examines Uzbekistan’s emergency health protocols and patient consent/access provisions, comparing them with EU, US, and WHO standards. We reviewed Uzbek law (national statutes, presidential decrees) and international guidelines (EU charters, WHO ethics documents, US regulations) to identify strengths and gaps in legal protections and accountability mechanisms during crises.