Learn About The Healthcare System & Insurance Options for Expats in Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is a country in the heart of Asia that gained independence in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Since then, it has rolled out several key health schemes offering healthcare, governance, and funds to enhance productivity and simultaneously ensure proper accessibility. Here’s what you need to know about the Uzbekistan healthcare system and insurance options for expats.
Meanwhile, availing superior healthcare in Uzbekistan can be both tough and costly. Hence, visitors and expats traveling to Uzbekistan must be covered by an international health insurance policy before entering the country. Expats can access all healthcare services in Uzbekistan at higher prices as compared to those paid by locals. The CDC has more information on vaccinations you should get before traveling to the country.
The quality of healthcare in Uzbekistan is not as good as it was during the Soviet era. However, expats have the option of choosing from several international hospitals and clinics, as and when they require. Residents and citizens of Uzbekistan have the same rights while availing health services. The law assures health protection for foreigners, according to international treaties, the Republic of Uzbekistan signed with multiple countries. Also, foreigners and refugees can claim free emergency healthcare.
We advise expats to get international health insurance before traveling to Uzbekistan as private hospitals and clinics are rather costly in the country. Despite that, they can easily access all health facilities in Uzbekistan.
Overview of Healthcare
Two key issues that stand in the way of the healthcare system in Uzbekistan are:
- Not enough healthcare facilities: The ratio of hospital beds to patients needing medical attention reduced to half between 1992 and 2003. Also, qualified experts comprising doctors and nurses have moved abroad, thereby causing an acute lack of medical professionals.
- Insufficiency of vaccines, medicines, and provisions: A 1995 study revealed that public hospitals only had 20 percent of the drugs necessarily required for the population. Only 40 percent of the children get vaccinations for diphtheria, pertussis, measles, and polio.
Uzbekistan provides a national healthcare insurance cover that grants citizens the right to avail of free healthcare. In 2006, the government dedicated 11.1 percent of the state budget to the healthcare industry. After that, Uzbek healthcare spending has witnessed a steady upsurge.
How the Uzbek Healthcare System Work for Expats?
The healthcare system of Uzbekistan is divided into three separate classes:
- Countrywide
- Specific regions
- Local-level consisting of rural areas or towns, with a comparatively smaller private sector.
The government has primarily limited the range of services that the private sector can provide, especially for complicated surgical procedures.
The government is doing everything in its capacity to improve the state of affairs. The best-planned way to go forward for expats keen to access medical services is to go to a private hospital. Tashkent International Medical Clinic is the best of all the private hospitals in Uzbekistan. On the other hand, there is a scarcity of private clinics with proper equipment outside of the capital.
Expats residing in Uzbekistan travel to other countries regularly. Additionally, these travels are mostly for availing complicated and critical surgical and medical processes. In light of this, expats must make sure that their health insurance policy covers medical evacuation.
Pharmacies and Emergency Services
If you want to buy a crucial drug, you can go to any pharmacy in Uzbekistan. Every pharmacy in the country sells almost all drugs, and you don’t necessarily need a prescription. However, this exempts tranquilizers and psychoactive drugs, including psychotropic constituent elements.
Apart from the capital Tashkent, every city in Uzbekistan has the facility of regular ambulance service that one can avail by dialing 03 and 1050 in case of emergencies. Likewise, emergency numbers for fire service and police are 101 and 102, respectively.
Necessary Insurance Paperwork for Expats
To have a safe journey free from the aftereffects of all types of unforeseen threats or hazards, expats can select from numerous flexible insurance policies online. An expat can choose a policy within just 5 minutes, without having to go through any paperwork or medical checkups.
Best Private International Medical Insurance for Expats in Uzbekistan
If you are planning to visit or shift base to Uzbekistan, you should opt or obtain an inclusive international health insurance policy that provides adequate coverage, especially in case of a health emergency. Many reputed insurance companies such as Cigna and Allianz offer an array of international health plans. Simply choose the ones that are generally accepted by public and private hospitals in Uzbekistan.
