The key facts

  • Specialists in hereditary diseases will be trained with Harvard Medical School, and genetic research will be introduced
  • A target of $150 million in investments and grants for each region next year
  • Teams of surgeons, anesthesiologists, resuscitation specialists and nurses will be sent to the regions; internships at the centers will last 3–4 months

Genetics and bioethics: new directions in medicine

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting with healthcare and pharmaceutical sector workers, during which he announced several new directions for the development of the healthcare system, reports Daryo.uz. The key one is cooperation with Harvard Medical School: together with it, specialists in hereditary diseases will be trained and genetic research will be introduced in Uzbekistan.

A legal framework for biotechnology

The head of state noted that genomics, cell technologies and biotechnology are enabling world medicine to find solutions for many previously incurable diseases, but scientific progress increases researchers' responsibility. «In research related to human life and health, his rights, consent and dignity must come first», the president emphasized. In this regard, a solid legal framework for bioethics and biotechnology is planned to be created — in effect, this means that the launch of genetic research will be accompanied by regulation in this field.

Team model and regional tasks

Another announced change concerns the organization of work: according to Mirziyoyev, «to provide qualified medical care, one doctor is not enough — a well-coordinated team must work alongside him». A strong school of neurosurgery has been formed at the Republican Center for Emergency Medical Care, and its experience is planned to be extended to the regions: teams of surgeons, anesthesiologists, resuscitation specialists, assistants and nurses will be sent there. A new system is being introduced for the work of specialized centers in districts and mahallas, with training for primary care staff; medical teams will undergo three- to four-month internships at the centers, and this requirement will be extended to other centers.

Investments in the regions

A separate instruction concerns the economics of the industry: for next year, the task has been set to attract to each region of the country at least $150 million in investments and grants; relevant instructions have been given to regional leaders. Thus, the meeting combined both scientific and medical initiatives (genetics, bioethics, the team model) and specific financial tasks for regional authorities.