Kindergartens in Tashkent region to reopen as most hospitalized children return home

Nearly all children who were hospitalized after being poisoned at preschools in Tashkent region have returned to their families. According to the latest update provided on 30 September by Nurmat Otabekov, a member of the special task force established at the Ministry of Health, only three children remain under medical supervision.

“They have fully recovered from the initial condition, but during treatment, pre-existing illnesses were identified, so they are being kept under additional observation. Their condition is stable, and they will be discharged in the coming days. Thus, medical measures have been fully completed, and hospitals have resumed normal operations,” he said.

The Sanitary and Epidemiological Welfare and Public Health Committee announced that oversight and preventive measures for catering services in all educational institutions across the country will be strengthened.

“These efforts are aimed at preventing similar cases in the future. At this point, we express our sincere gratitude to all medical staff who fulfilled their duty with high responsibility and dedication,” the Ministry of Health press service quoted him as saying.

The Ministry of Preschool and School Education stated that from 2 October, all preschools in the region will resume their operations in the regular mode.

The ministry’s statement also noted that monitoring mechanisms at preschools will be reinforced.

“In accordance with current legislation, in some preschools, catering services have been outsourced to private companies. Contracts strictly stipulate compliance with sanitary requirements and standards.

At the same time, the ministry acknowledges its responsibility and will further strengthen oversight mechanisms. Together with law enforcement agencies and the Ministry of Health, a comprehensive investigation of the incident is under way. If shortcomings are found, contracts will be reviewed or terminated,” the statement said.

The ministry also appealed to all organizations providing catering services to preschools, stressing that negligence of sanitary requirements or cost-cutting at the expense of food quality is absolutely unacceptable.