Uzbekistan plans to expand its network of Imkon rehabilitation centers for children with special needs. Four new facilities will be opened soon, with the first one launching in Samarkand this autumn. The announcement was made during a presentation of the center's work in the Kibray district.
During the event, participants were shown the inner workings of the center, including rehabilitation rooms, specialized facilities, preschool groups, a canteen, creative spaces, and areas for children's activities. All services are provided free of charge.
It was emphasized that the center is state-owned and funded from the budget. "This center is state-owned. Funding comes from the state. We have no foreign sponsors," said Ozoda Ulugova, director of the Imkon center in Kibray district.
Currently, specialized Imkon centers operate in Nukus, Kibray, Karshi, and Navoi. Four more will be added soon, with the first opening in Samarkand this autumn. The expansion aims to increase the availability of rehabilitation services for families in the regions and reduce the burden on existing centers.
The Kibray Imkon consists of two blocks: preschool education and rehabilitation. The preschool block currently serves 154 children, while the rehabilitation block can accommodate about 100 children per month for recovery courses. Each child undergoes an examination by a commission of doctors, defectologists, and teachers, after which an individual rehabilitation roadmap is created.
"We examine the children, then each child is given an individual roadmap depending on their condition," Ulugova explained. The roadmap depends on the diagnosis and condition. Morning sessions are for preschool children, while afternoon sessions are for those who come with parents from other regions.
Special attention is paid to parental involvement in the rehabilitation process. Specialists note that treatment effectiveness largely depends on continuing exercises at home. "The physical therapy instructor shows exercises that parents should continue at home. If not done, we have to start the course over. So parents receive assignments, and a psychologist works with them separately," the director said.
Since the Kibray center opened, 50 children have started walking independently, and another 70 have acquired self-care skills. In total, the center has about 100 graduates: one-third moved to regular schools, another third to specialized institutions, and the rest continue home-based education.
The centers are equipped with modern equipment from Germany, the UK, Korea, Russia, and the US. Specialists have access to exercise machines, sensory rooms, aquatherapy, fairy tale therapy, and other rehabilitation methods. Particular attention is paid to accessibility: children can move freely without barriers, and staff regularly undergo training.
"A child in a wheelchair can easily move from room to room without any obstacles. Staff are constantly trained and improve their qualifications," said Rano Shodieva, Honored Artist of Uzbekistan.
Shakhnoza Mirziyoyeva, First Deputy Director of the National Social Protection Agency under the President of Uzbekistan, emphasized that the development of the Imkon network should help children with special needs and their families receive support not only in the capital or individual cities, but in every region of the country.
Source: podrobno.uz