Uzbekistan Steps Up Health Reform: High-Level Dialogue and WHO Course to Advance Health Financing for Universal Health Coverage

2–5 June 2025, Tashkent. The event is organized by the World Health Organization and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ Uzbekistan and GIZ Backup Health) on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Development and Cooperation (BMZ) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan, Ministry of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan, State Health Insurance Fund. GIZ BACKUP Health implements its support to Uzbekistan with financing from the Swiss Government.

Uzbekistan is rapidly advancing reforms to ensure health services for all—without financial hardship. Since 2021, the country has piloted a state-funded health insurance system in Syrdarya region, aimed at moving from traditional line-item budgeting to strategic purchasing of health services. The presidential Decree No. 311, signed in 2024, laid the groundwork for scaling up the health insurance reforms nationally, with full implementation expected by 2027.

“Our goal is creating a health system that serves people first, with quality services affordable, available and accessible to every citizen,” said Farkhodjon Tashpulatov, Deputy Minister of Health. “These reforms are ambitious but necessary, and with the support of our partners, we are building a system that delivers on the promise of universal health coverage.”

2 June | High-Level Policy Dialogue 

The Dialogue will gather decision-makers from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Economy and Finance, State Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), SHIF regional branches, regional health departments, and development partners. The policy dialogue aims to assess the progress and lessons from Uzbekistan’s ongoing health financing reforms. It will also serve as a platform to define future priorities, promote cross-sector collaboration, and agree on actionable next steps to ensure the sustainable and coordinated scale-up of reforms.

“The transformation of health financing is part of Uzbekistan’s broader economic modernization,” said Otabek Fozilkarimov, Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance.
“We see health not as a cost, but as an investment in the future — one that requires smart, strategic planning and cross-sector collaboration.”

“Every person—no matter where they live or what their income—is entitled to health care without financial hardship. Uzbekistan’s commitment to health reform is a critical step towards achieving universal health coverage (UHC), - said Dr Asheena Khalakdina, WHO Representative in Uzbekistan.
By investing in health financing and prioritizing primary health care, the country is laying the foundation for a more equitable system that delivers for everyone and leaves no one behind.”

2–5 June | WHO Barcelona Course on Health Financing for UHC (Panarams Hotel, Tashkent)

Following the policy dialogue, the WHO Barcelona Course on Health Financing for UHC will start on the same day, bringing together more than 50 participants from national and regional health authorities. Adapted to Uzbekistan’s context, the four-day training focuses on core topics such as:

• Align health financing reforms with broader health and development goals,
• Improve financial protection and service access,
• Smarter and more data-informed mechanisms for paying providers through strategic purchasing,
• Mobilize and pool health funds effectively.

The course, developed by the WHO Barcelona Office for Health Systems Financing, has trained over 1000 policy-makers across the WHO European Region. In Tashkent, this training supports ongoing reforms by helping stakeholders identify financing gaps, evaluate data, and formulate context-specific policy solutions.

The course uses real-life examples, group work and data analysis to help participants learn from global best practices and find solutions applied to Uzbekistan’s unique context.

“This training course is a milestone in Uzbekistan’s reform journey—and we’re honored to support the country in building a system that leaves no one behind,” said Cornelia Becker, health portfolio manager, GIZ Uzbekistan.

“For the State Health Insurance Fund, this training is essential to building the skills and systems we need to deliver on our mission,” said Zokhid Ermatov, Executive Director, SHIF Uzbekistan.
“As we take on a larger role in health services, it’s crucial that our staff are equipped with international knowledge and tools. This will help us ensure that health services are allocated fairly, transparently, and efficiently—so that people across Uzbekistan get the care they need, when they need it.”

As Uzbekistan continues its reform journey, the WHO and its partners remain committed to providing technical guidance, sharing global best practices, and building a future where everyone — regardless of income or location — can receive the health care they need.