Uzbekistan's Ministry of Health has clarified that patients admitted for treatment under a state referral are not required to pay for services, medicines, medical devices, or consumables stipulated by the clinical protocol. These costs are covered by the state budget, according to the ministry's response to a request from Podrobno.uz.

The ministry noted that the concept of a 'warrant' (order) is no longer used in legislation. Instead, patients now receive an electronic referral with a QR code, confirming their right to a certain volume of medical care at the state's expense.

Within the scope specified in the referral, the clinic must provide diagnostics, treatment, and rehabilitation free of charge. Patients cannot be forced to purchase necessary medications, medical devices, or consumables themselves. No fees are charged for extracts from medical documents either.

If another disease is discovered during examination, its treatment may also be covered by the state within the base cost established for the new diagnosis.

Paid care is permitted only if a person visits a clinic without a referral, independently chooses a higher-level institution bypassing the established procedure, or receives treatment in a paid department. Fees may also be charged for additional procedures not included in the guaranteed package and not provided for by the clinical protocol. The only exception is emergency and urgent care, which does not require a referral.

Demanding payment in other cases is considered a violation. The ministry added that hospitals are now obliged to inform citizens about free services and the conditions for receiving them through stands, info kiosks, official websites, and hotlines.

Earlier it was reported that from July 1, private clinics in Uzbekistan gained the opportunity to provide services at the expense of the state budget in all areas covered by their licenses.

Source: podrobno.uz