IMPROVING PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN UZBEKISTAN: PROGRESS AND INNOVATION

Primary Health Care (PHC) forms the foundation of an efficient and equitable health system. In Uzbekistan, PHC reform has become a strategic priority in achieving universal health coverage (UHC) and improving access to quality healthcare. Over the past three decades, the government has introduced wide-ranging initiatives to strengthen the role of family doctors, notably through the introduction of the Family Doctor System (FDS), modernization of rural infrastructure, and enhancement of disease prevention efforts. This article analyzes the current condition of PHC in Uzbekistan, detailing the major systemic challenges, and examining the innovative solutions—specifically strategic purchasing by the State Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) and performance-based financing—being implemented to strengthen the national healthcare system for a projected nationwide rollout by 2027.