Uzbekistan's medical and pharmaceutical education system is preparing for a comprehensive reform. Starting from the 2026/2027 academic year, the country's higher education institutions plan to implement a new personnel training format based on international standards, enhanced practical training, and the abandonment of outdated teaching methods.
This is outlined in the presidential decree "On Measures to Improve the Personnel Training System in the Field of Medical and Pharmaceutical Education," which has been submitted for public discussion.
According to the document, from the 2026/2027 academic year, the "General Medicine" and "Pediatrics" specializations will be merged into a six-year bachelor's program in "General Medicine" under the "5+1" formula. Graduates of this program will receive the qualification of a family doctor.
Final-year students will be required to complete a mandatory one-year internship in primary healthcare institutions. Dental faculties will be attached to specialized clinics, and family polyclinics will serve as bases for universities, where teachers and students will provide services to the population.
Starting from the new academic year, admission to bachelor's programs under the supercontract (increased tuition fee) will be abolished. Meanwhile, the minimum passing score for state exams will be set at 70% for doctors and 60% for mid-level medical personnel.
Curriculum will be supplemented with an increased number of credit hours for the most common and dangerous diseases. Training based on evidence-based medicine and simulation technologies will become mandatory.
The reform also includes changes in the specialization system. Narrow specialties will only be available through clinical residency and master's programs, while short-term courses and internships will be abolished.
From January 1, 2027, graduates who studied on grants and successfully passed exams will be required to work a specified number of hours in medical institutions across the country's regions.
In primary healthcare institutions of Karakalpakstan and regions — at least 1,500 hours; in district and city institutions (excluding Tashkent) — a minimum of 2,000 hours; in regional institutions — 2,500 hours; and in republican and Tashkent institutions — at least 3,000 hours.
Special attention is given to the training of mid-level medical personnel and pharmacists. From January 1, 2026, the Higher Professional Medical Academy will be established on the basis of the Nursing Academy under the Tashkent State Medical University. Starting from 2028, it will gain academic and financial autonomy and become a coordinating center in this field.
In the coming years, Uzbekistan plans to increase the proportion of nurses with higher education to 10% and double their salaries. This was announced by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during a meeting with healthcare representatives at the Tashkent State Medical University.
Source: podrobno.uz