Uzbekistan Allocates $14.3 mn for medical insurance fund, expands home care to 23,000 individuals

Uzbekistan is rolling out major reforms to strengthen social protection, including expanded home care services for vulnerable populations and the introduction of a single social card system to simplify access to assistance. During a December 13 meeting, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized the importance of private sector involvement in these initiatives and praised social entrepreneurs for their role in improving lives.

Home Care for Dependent Individuals

The government plans to support 23,000 individuals from low-income families who rely on family members for care. Starting in 2025:

• 19,000 individuals will receive at-home care, supported by social workers and private caregiving agencies.
• 4,000 individuals will benefit from day-care services.

This program will enable 15,000 family caregivers to return to work, with 80% of caregiving costs covered by the state. The pilot project will launch in Tashkent by March 1 and expand to other regions by year-end.

Akmal Aliev, Director of the private caregiving agency Hamroh, shared his experience working with beneficiaries since winning a state tender earlier this year. “The goal of our work is to restore the independence of our beneficiaries as much as possible and improve their quality of life,” said Aliev. He highlighted a success story: “One of our beneficiaries, whom we have been working with from the very beginning, could not even get out of bed on her own. Today, not only can she get out of bed, but she also takes care of herself effortlessly.”

President Mirziyoyev commended such efforts: “In you, I see people who want to prove to society that all is not lost and that there is a ray of sunshine illuminating the future of good lives and progress. You are doing a good deed, and we will always support people like you.”

Medical and Housing Support

To address the unmet medical needs of 460,000 individuals from low-income families and the housing challenges of 6,000 families, an additional 185 billion soums ($14.3 million) will be allocated to the Medical Insurance Fund in 2025 for surgical operations.

Funds from Social Notebooks will focus on improving the living conditions of poor families, providing medical and educational services, and increasing income. To ensure fairness, these funds will now be distributed based on the number of poor people in each district.

30% of Social Notebook funds will also be directed by district governors (khokims) to improve infrastructure, including housing, roads, water, and electricity, particularly in mahallas (neighborhoods) through “Inson” centers.

Housing Reforms

Currently, 25,000 people live in 400 multi-story social housing units, often far from their families and communities. To address this, the government will abandon the practice of placing people in centralized housing units. Instead, needy families will be allowed to rent homes near their mahallas (neighborhoods), with the state reimbursing the costs.

The Director of the Social Protection Agency, Mansur Olloyorov, has been tasked with overseeing the implementation of this reform.

Introducing a Single Social Card

To streamline access to social services, Uzbekistan will introduce a single social card, consolidating over 65 types of social services into one system.

This system will be tested in Tashkent and Yangiyul District by July 1 before rolling out nationwide by the end of 2025.

A Vision for Inclusive Social Welfare

These reforms reflect Uzbekistan’s commitment to enhancing social welfare, supporting vulnerable populations, and empowering social entrepreneurs. “80% of your services will be covered by the state so that you can work comfortably,” the president assured social entrepreneurs like Aliev. “In a year or two, this person, whom you mentioned, who now moves freely and takes care of herself, will begin to see things through different eyes. She will gain a lot more confidence,” the president stated.