Health Ministry warns public about rise in unlicensed medical practitioners

The ministry noted that people in particularly difficult life situations are often deceived by individuals claiming to have “supernatural abilities.”

Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Health has urged the public to be vigilant about fake doctors operating on social media.

In a press release, the ministry highlighted that in recent years, the state has been paying considerable attention to developing traditional medicine, ensuring its consistent integration into the modern healthcare system, and improving the skills of specialists in this field. As a result, 150 business entities in the country are now legally licensed to operate in traditional medicine.

However, despite these opportunities, the number of unlicensed individuals diagnosing and treating illnesses using unauthorized methods – and thereby posing a serious risk to people’s health and lives – has been growing.

“The most troubling thing is that some of our fellow citizens, seeking to recover from illnesses quickly, easily, without complications, and most importantly, by natural means at home, fall victim to such individuals. These people claim to possess ‘supernatural abilities,’ gain people’s trust in various ways, and offer ‘services’ that have not been verified or tested in any way,” the statement read.

The ministry expressed concern that social media has increasingly become a platform for promoting such dubious services, with their main audience and clientele being people in desperate life circumstances.

It stressed that the treatments promoted by these self-proclaimed healers do not belong to evidence-based medicine, are entirely inconsistent with the national clinical diagnostic and treatment protocols and standards, and that none of these individuals have been issued any licenses by the ministry.

“Therefore, beware of fake doctors on social media! Do not put your health or the health of your family members and loved ones at risk!” the ministry urged.

According to the statement, in 2024, 38 legal entities engaged in unlicensed medical practice were each fined 300 times the basic calculation unit. As of 1 July 2025, 24 legal entities have faced similar financial penalties.

The ministry added that, to curb the activities of fake doctors, it regularly conducts training seminars and preventive measures together with the Republican Scientific and Practical Center of Traditional Medicine.