Uzbekistan has significantly bolstered its healthcare landscape in 2025, embracing a raft of advanced medical technologies and procedures. National health authorities have reported a substantial increase in the implementation of sophisticated medical interventions, enhancing the nation’s capacity to treat a wide spectrum of conditions domestically.
By November of 2025, artificial intelligence (AI) was actively integrated into 43 distinct medical procedures. Furthermore, the country saw the introduction of 179 novel diagnostic methods and 199 innovative treatment techniques within its specialised medical centres. This technological leap extends to regional facilities, where a remarkable 379 types of rare and complex surgical operations are now being performed, showcasing a considerable expansion in the scope of available medical services.
Enhancing Paediatric Care: A National Centre of Excellence
One of the most impactful developments is the enhanced capacity to manage complex paediatric conditions within Uzbekistan, thereby minimising the necessity for overseas referrals. The establishment of the National Children’s Medical Centre has been pivotal in this regard. Bakhtiyorjon Umarov, Head of the centre, explained that its primary objective is to consolidate advanced paediatric services under one roof. Beyond a robust team of doctors and nurses, the centre is staffed by technical specialists crucial for the operation and upkeep of its cutting-edge medical equipment.
The National Children’s Medical Centre has achieved international accreditation from a United States-based body. This prestigious recognition came after a rigorous assessment against approximately 1,200 clinical and operational standards. It stands among roughly 1,000 medical institutions globally that hold this accreditation and is the first standalone paediatric facility worldwide to attain it.
The centre has successfully performed a range of complex procedures, including:
- Bone marrow transplants
- Liver transplants
- Laparoscopic kidney transplants
- Isolation of stem cells from peripheral blood
The expertise of the multidisciplinary teams at the centre has been honed through extensive training programmes. Surgeons, anaesthesiologists, intensive care specialists, nurses, and laboratory staff have undertaken advanced training in Russia, Belarus, Türkiye, China, and South Korea, equipping them to perform these intricate procedures.
Breakthroughs in Transplantation and Oncology
A landmark achievement in paediatric care was the first-ever paediatric liver transplant performed in Uzbekistan. The recipient was a seven-month-old infant who received two liver segments from their mother, who served as the living donor. Both the donor and the infant experienced stable post-operative recovery. Historically, children with congenital liver disorders, including biliary tract malformations, required transplantation abroad. Even with a living donor, such overseas treatments typically incurred costs exceeding $50,000. These life-saving procedures are now accessible within the country.
Bone marrow transplantation has also been introduced as a vital treatment option for children battling haematological and oncological diseases. Umarov elaborated, “This method is employed when conventional therapies prove insufficient, enabling the replacement of malignant or damaged blood-forming cells with healthy stem cells.”
To date, approximately 40 bone marrow transplantations have been conducted at the National Children’s Medical Centre. In instances where related donors were not a match, the centre has successfully utilised haploidentical stem cell transplantation with unrelated donors. Comparable procedures undertaken overseas commonly range from $100,000 to $250,000. Under Uzbekistan’s national healthcare policy, all medical services for children under 18, including high-technology surgical procedures, are fully financed by state funds.
Advancements in Neurosurgery and Neonatal Care
At the Republican Specialised Scientific and Practical Centre for Neurosurgery, the integration of robot-assisted and navigation-guided systems is revolutionising the approach to complex neurological conditions. These advanced systems are being employed for specific procedures, including the surgical management of deep-seated brain tumours and pharmacoresistant epilepsy.
In a notable case, a six-month-old infant suffering from medication-resistant seizures underwent a robotic-assisted surgery. Surgeons were able to precisely identify and excise the epileptogenic focus, with post-operative monitoring confirming the cessation of seizures.
In a separate, highly complex neonatal surgery, conjoined twins were successfully separated. The twins, born prematurely at 33–34 weeks, shared portions of their intestine and urinary bladder, presenting significant surgical challenges. The emergency operation was performed by local specialists at the Tashkent regional branch of the Republican Specialised Mother and Child Health Centre in Chirchik, approximately nine hours after their birth.
Professor Bakhtiyor Ergashev, Head of the Neonatal Surgery Centre at the Republican Perinatal Centre, highlighted the extreme difficulty of the operation, compounded by the infants’ premature state and shared organs. He noted that the procedure demanded exceptional precision, particularly after a rupture of connective tissue post-birth led to fluid leakage from the abdominal cavity. Ergashev mentioned that similar, though less complex, operations had been performed in Uzbekistan on two prior occasions, one involving international medical professionals and another concerning foreign patients.
