The projects are intended to expand the role of private businesses in healthcare and improve medical infrastructure in line with regional needs. Officials also presented proposals for nine additional projects valued at $1 billion.

Among the planned facilities are the National Oncology Center, the Republican Center for Neurology and Stroke, a multidisciplinary adult medical center in Tashkent region, new hospitals in Kashkadarya region and a maternal and child health center in Nukus. The plans also include launching medical education programs in Termez.

Under public-private partnership arrangements, a hospital with 800 beds is planned in Samarkand, along with a multidisciplinary medical facility in Bukhara region. The presentation included updates on the implementation of these projects.

The nine proposed projects would expand neurological, psychological and addiction treatment services, develop pediatric oncology and hematology, improve emergency medical care, renew the ambulance fleet and strengthen medical training.

Healthcare infrastructure strategy through 2040

Officials proposed developing a master plan and a healthcare infrastructure strategy through 2040 to coordinate investment across the sector.

The first stage would involve taking stock of existing projects, assessing whether they remain relevant and determining whether they can be implemented. Authorities would then select projects based on regional needs, prepare investment profiles and compile a unified portfolio.

The strategy would set priorities for cooperation with private investors, international financial institutions and donors.

The presentation also addressed plans to involve private companies in providing medical and support services through outsourcing. Under a new system due to take effect next year, healthcare facilities will be able to purchase these services from private providers.

Contracts would set out service volumes and quality requirements in advance, with providers assessed against specific performance criteria. The government aims to raise the share of outsourced services in procurement to 30% by 2030.

An electronic system called Medical Outsourcing is planned to improve transparency. It would maintain a unified register of services, providers and contracts, track service volumes and quality, and monitor payments. The system is also expected to be integrated with the public procurement system.