TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, January 23. Uzbekistan
and the World Bank have discussed the formation and phased
development of a state medical insurance system in the country,
Trend reports via the
Ministry of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan.
The issue was reviewed during a meeting between Deputy Minister
of Economy and Finance Otabek Fozilkarimov and World Bank
representatives.
The sides emphasized the importance of accounting for
macroeconomic stability, demographic trends, and labor market
characteristics in further strengthening the healthcare system,
with particular attention to balancing economic and social factors
in the introduction of medical insurance.
Discussions also focused on healthcare financing, including the
effective use of existing resources, expansion of financial
protection mechanisms for the population, and improved access to
medical services. The parties highlighted the need to form a
balanced expenditure structure in the healthcare sector while
consistently strengthening the state’s role.
It was noted that the key objectives of medical insurance are to
expand access to healthcare services and ensure financial
sustainability. In this context, defining financing approaches,
coverage scope, and service packages, and developing transparent
payment and information systems were identified as critical for
building an effective insurance model.
The World Bank initiated its engagement with Uzbekistan in 1992,
shortly after the country gained independence. Since then, the
World Bank’s collaboration with Uzbekistan has deepened
substantially, particularly after 2017, with a focus on supporting
the country’s ambitious reform agenda through a range of financial
and analytical projects spanning sectors such as agriculture,
education, infrastructure, and digitalization.
Uzbekistan’s portfolio of joint projects with the World Bank now
exceeds $14 billion.
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