Prime Highlights
- Uzbekistan held a workshop to improve transparency in healthcare procurement.
- Experts discussed ways to reduce corruption risks and conflicts of interest.
Key Facts
- The event brought together government officials and international experts.
- Uzbekistan introduced new procurement and conflict-of-interest laws as part of recent reforms.
Background
Uzbekistan has reviewed fresh measures to make healthcare procurement more transparent and reduce the risk of corruption through a two-day workshop attended by government representatives, healthcare professionals, anti-corruption experts and development partners.
The discussions focused on challenges that arise during the purchase of medicines, medical equipment and other health-related services. Participants noted that weak monitoring, complicated procedures and conflicts of interest can affect public spending, lower the quality of healthcare services and reduce public confidence in government institutions.
Deputy Health Minister Jaloliddin Asamutdinov said the country is continuing efforts to improve transparency and accountability in the health sector. He pointed to recent changes in public procurement rules, wider use of digital systems, stronger monitoring of major contracts and the introduction of a conflict-of-interest law to improve oversight across public institutions.
The workshop also reviewed how these reforms are working in practice and identified areas where additional safeguards may be required. Experiences from abroad were provided by experts from international organizations and educational establishments on how the best practices can be implemented within Uzbekistan’s legal and institutional framework.
Each step of the procurement process was analyzed in terms of potential risks, and methods for its better transparency were proposed. It is recommended that procurement rules should be enforced strictly, internal controls be strengthened, e-technologies be used more widely, and procurement officials get additional training.
The discussion ended up with all participants agreeing that further collaboration between governmental bodies, international organizations and civil society is essential for achieving a more accountable healthcare system. They said improving procurement practices would help ensure public funds are used more effectively while supporting better healthcare services and increasing public trust in state institutions.
