Mak sud Tairov, deputy director for medical affairs at the Bukhara branch of the Republican Cardiology Center, has reported facing pressure after passing information about possible corruption violations to management. A defamation complaint has been filed against the doctor.
According to Tairov, he merely forwarded patient complaints to management for verification. However, the employee implicated in the complaints not only learned the identity of the whistleblower but also obtained a video recording of a confidential conversation between Tairov and the branch director.
This conflict erupted shortly after the doctor returned to work. Earlier, Tairov had been dismissed due to a labor dispute with the administration and was reinstated through court after nearly a year of legal proceedings.
The current situation was preceded by a prolonged labor conflict. Tairov claims he had previously drawn management's attention to shortcomings in the treatment process that could affect the quality of medical care. This strained his relationship with the branch director, leading to his dismissal.
Considering his dismissal unlawful, Tairov filed a lawsuit. According to the Bukhara Regional Court's publication, he demanded the annulment of the branch's orders, reinstatement, payment for forced absence, 25 million soums in moral damages, and 7 million soums in legal costs. The district court initially rejected his claims, but after an appeal and a prosecutor's protest, the regional court partially overturned the decision and reinstated him.
After returning to his post, Tairov says he began receiving oral complaints from patients about possible corrupt practices by some staff, including cardiologists and an ultrasound diagnostics doctor. He emphasizes that he did not conduct his own investigation or accuse anyone publicly.
Tairov then had a conversation with the branch director, expecting that the information would be checked. However, the implicated employee allegedly learned who reported the information and obtained a video of the conversation. The ultrasound doctor subsequently filed a defamation complaint with the police, accusing Tairov of slander.
Under Uzbek law, individuals reporting corruption are entitled to state protection, and their identity is considered a service secret. Since June 23, additional guarantees have been in place, requiring notification of the Anti-Corruption Agency before any disciplinary action against a whistleblower within two years.
Tairov insists his case should be examined objectively, questioning whether his report qualifies for legal protection and whether confidentiality was breached. He also asks how the video recording ended up with the other party and whether there is a link between his report and the complaint against him.
The doctor fears a new labor conflict, having already endured a year-long legal battle. He stresses that he is not asking for anyone to be presumed guilty but seeks a thorough and impartial investigation into the matter.
Source: podrobno.uz