WHO, World Diabetes Foundation Launch Diabetes Project in Uzbekistan

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The World Health Organization and the World Diabetes Foundation have jointly launched a diabetes management overhaul across three Central Asian nations, with Uzbekistan deploying AI-assisted eye diagnostics as part of the region's most ambitious endocrinology initiative to date.

TASHKENT — Uzbekistan has launched an international program titled "Improving the Quality of Diabetes Management and Prevention of Its Complications," backed by the WHO Regional Office for Europe and the World Diabetes Foundation, authorities announced June 12. The initiative runs in parallel across Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.

In Uzbekistan, the project is being piloted in three locations: the city of Nukus in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, the city of Gulistan in Syrdarya region, and four districts of Tashkent.

Professor Anvar Alimov, Director of the Republican Specialized Scientific-Practical Medical Centre of Endocrinology, said the project is fully integrated into Uzbekistan's national Strategy for 2026–2030, which mandates 100-percent treatment coverage for diabetes patients, uninterrupted medication supply, and a measurable reduction in complication risks.

WHO Technical Officer for Uzbekistan Zulfiya Atakhanova said the program's core priorities include optimizing patient referral pathways and developing updated clinical protocols. On the ground, that means advanced training for endocrinologists, ophthalmologists, and nursing staff across all regions of the country, alongside strengthened laboratory capacity at primary healthcare facilities.

Among the initiative's more distinctive elements is the deployment of modern fundus cameras in pilot regions for retinal screening of diabetic patients — with AI-based automated analysis tools to be integrated into diagnostic workflows. The program will also expand population-wide screening to identify at-risk groups and bring them under structured medical supervision.

Targeted interventions are planned for gestational diabetes in pregnant women, as well as cardiovascular and ocular complication prevention among people living with diabetes and prediabetes.

The official online launch was attended by Hans Kluge, Director of the WHO Regional Office for Europe, representatives of the World Diabetes Foundation, health ministers from the three participating countries, and leading international endocrinology experts.

The initiative is expected to bring Uzbekistan's healthcare infrastructure into closer alignment with international standards and improve the country's overall capacity to manage chronic non-communicable diseases.