Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan’s Minister of Health, Asilbek Khudayarov, held talks with Türkiye’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Uzbekistan, Ufuk Ulutas, the ministry’s press service said.

During the meeting, both sides emphasized that cooperation between Tashkent and Ankara, including within international organizations, has significantly expanded in recent years and has reached the level of strategic partnership, thanks to the efforts of the presidents of the two countries.

Special attention was given to the development of medical ties. Interaction between clinics and universities is growing, and Turkish pharmaceutical companies are actively entering the Uzbek market. Expertise from Türkiye is widely applied in ongoing healthcare reforms in Uzbekistan, including modernization of primary healthcare, implementation of medical insurance, digitalization of the sector, improvement of hospital services, and development of emergency care systems.

With the support of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), the annual “Health Week” campaign is held. Over the past nine years, it has provided more than 730 surgeries, over 3,500 consultations, and about 600 training events.

According to the “Action Program” between the Ministries of Health of Uzbekistan and Türkiye for 2024–2025, joint initiatives are being implemented in workforce training and experience exchange. In February, a delegation of health administration officials from Bukhara and Samarkand regions visited Türkiye to enhance their qualifications.

Cooperation also extends to science and education. In 2019, with the support of Türkiye’s University of Medical Sciences, a joint faculty was opened at the Bukhara Medical Institute, where students study under a bilateral program. Alongside public institutions, private organizations are increasingly involved in these projects.

Meeting participants highlighted that Uzbekistan–Türkiye healthcare cooperation is reaching a new level.

At the conclusion of the visit, the Turkish diplomat toured the Digital Health Center, recently established under the Ministry of Health.