WHO Uzbekistan

Today’s event was not just about discussion. It was about decisions. I signed 4 important documents with: ▶️the ministries of health of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, to strengthen cooperation for a healthier future in the Aral Sea region ▶️ the Akimat of Atyrau Region and the 🇰🇿Ministry of Health, to advance joint research on the links between environment and health ▶️ the Akimat of Kyzylorda Region and the 🇰🇿Ministry of Health, to help shape an Aral Sea environment and health programme ▶️ the health ministers of the Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan, to build shared regional commitment for action in both the Aral Sea region and the Caspian basin I am confident these agreements will not remain on paper. 2/3

Katta rahmat, @DrTedros! Thank you for your time, inspiration, and for leading by example in your tireless commitment to #healthforall.

Президент Узбекистана и глава ВОЗ обсудили модернизацию здравоохранения gazeta.uz/ru/2026/04/21/…

Inspiring meeting with the First Lady of #Uzbekistan, Her Excellency Ziroat Mirziyoyeva, a champion for childhood cancer control and improving the lives of children diagnosed with cancer. The Zamin Foundation, chaired by Mrs Mirziyoyeva, plays a pivotal role in advancing pediatric oncology services and providing hospital-based education through the Republican Children’s Oncology and Hematology Centre in the capital Tashkent, and the “Mehrli Maktab” school operating out of the centre and across the country. Through these facilities, the First Lady and all health workers and educators involved are giving children living with cancer the medical and social support they need to overcome their illnesses and realize their dreams. I was pleased to meet many young Uzbeks being provided care and hope thanks to the facilities. They included Samira, a young cancer survivor who participated with the First Lady and I at a side event on childhood cancer at last year’s United Nations General Assembly in New York, and Dilnavoz (another cancer survivor), a talented artist whose goal is to be an interpreter in the future. I also committed @WHO’s ongoing support to help them reach their targets and collaborate with regional and international partners to help more children succeed in their battles with cancer.

Held a very constructive meeting yesterday with His Excellency Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Uzbekistan. I commended the President for Uzbekistan's extensive health system reforms, hallmarked by investment in its health workforce, primary health care strengthening, health financing, national insurance and digital technology. I reiterated @WHO’s continued collaboration on these fronts as part of our overall commitment to advancing universal health coverage. I also reaffirmed that WHO will keep working side-by-side with Uzbekistan to address the health impacts of synthetic drugs and other illicit narcotics, and supporting the government's efforts to prevent and control cancer in children and adults. x.com/president_uz/s…

In Bishkek 🇰🇬, together with our partners in Kyrgyzstan, I launched the 20th European Immunization Week with one clear message: vaccines work, save lives, and protect communities across generations. Thanks to vaccines, over the past 20 years our Region has maintained its polio-free status and moved closer to eliminating measles, rubella, hepatitis B, and cervical cancer. I congratulated Kyrgyzstan on important progress, with national data for 2025 indicating second-dose measles vaccination coverage rising to 94%, up from 69% in 2024, and HPV vaccination coverage among 11-year-old girls reaching 91%. But vaccine hesitancy remains a challenge - in Kyrgyzstan and across our Region - putting these gains at risk. To address this, we need to build trust, tackle misinformation, invest in immunization programmes, and make sure services are accessible to everyone. Also read my joint statement with EU Commissioner @OliverVarhelyi and UNICEF’s Regional Director @R_DeDominicis >> bit.ly/48wzcAL

Appreciated the visit to the Family Polyclinic #7 in Uzbekistan’s capital, Tashkent, which reflects the country’s scaling up of primary health care services. I was especially impressed by the clinic’s use of health data of the communities it serves to categorize groups of people based on their health status, and tailor services to meet their respective needs, from prevention and treatment to pre-natal and maternal care. I commended the government, and the clinic’s dedicated workforce for their efforts and encouraged them to continue expanding this approach throughout Uzbekistan.

#Samarkand, part 3 | 20.04.2026

Thank you Ms Saida Mirziyoyeva, Head of the Administration of the President of #Uzbekistan, for our positive meeting on the country’s strong efforts to address transnational drug threats and their public health and security impacts. We agreed on the need for countries, especially in the Central Asian region, to collaborate more closely to address the health risks associated with substance use disorders. I recognized @SMirziyoyeva for her leadership to invest in primary health care, rehabilitation services and a national hotline to treat and support people affected by drug use disorders. We also discussed the strong gains Uzbekistan is making in the reform of its health system to advance #HealthForAll in the country, and agreed to build further on the close cooperation between @GOVuz and @WHO.

At Polyclinic No. 7 in Tashkent 🇺🇿, @DrTedros heard directly from makhalla-community representatives, family doctors and nurses how newly established medical teams work together to deliver health services, support prevention & link people to care. #PHC #HealthForAll

Today @DrTedros visits Family Polyclinic #7 in Tashkent 🇺🇿 — a living example of how #Uzbekistan is transforming its health system, moving towards strong, people-centred primary health care. #HealthForAll

Вакцинация стала неотъемлемой частью жизни людей в Европейском регионе, защищая детей, родителей, бабушек и дедушек. Прочитайте наш фоторепортаж о том, как вакцинация помогает сохранять здоровье и жизни людей всех возрастов. bit.ly/41WskZL

At the heart of Samarkand 🇺🇿 @DrTedros visits Registan — a place where knowledge and science have shaped generations. This year’s #WorldHealthDay reminds us to stand together for health and stand with science.

Substance use disorders are health disorders. Globally, there are an estimated 300 million drug users, yet only a small fraction receive treatment.  New types of highly potent synthetic drugs are emerging every year, presenting significant public health risks. Stigma, discrimination, criminalization of people using drugs, and fear of punishment continue to push people away from care and away from the health systems that should protect them. A strong health response to drug-related harms requires health systems that: - integrate services for mental health and substance use with services to prevent communicable diseases at the primary health care level; - ⁠engage communities and civil society; - ⁠and support families, protect children, and reach people in prisons, in humanitarian crises, and on the margins of society. I salute the Government of #Uzbekistan for hosting, with @UNODC, the International Forum on Countering Transnational Drug Threats to Public Health and Security in Samarkand and putting increased attention on this critical health area. My speech to the Forum: who.int/news-room/spee…

At the international forum in UZB 🇺🇿 @DrTedros emphasized: - drug use and mental health are interconnected, must be addressed together, - integrating mental health services into #PHC is essential, - effective responses require a health-centred, ethical and evidence-based approach

Appreciated the warm welcome to the historic Silk Road city of Samarkand by #Uzbekistan Minister of Health Dr Asilbek Anvarovich Khudayarov. My visit reflects @WHO’s commitment to supporting @GOVuz’s efforts to promote and protect the health of its citizens, including by addressing the public health impacts of transnational drug threats. Katta Rahmat.

Walking the talk on public health 🇺🇿 #WalkTheTalk Dr @DrTedros and Minister of Health Dr Asilbek Khudayarov on their way to discussions on countering drug threats and strengthening health systems.

🇺🇿 O‘zbekistonga xush kelibsiz, @DrTedros! Welcome to #Uzbekistan - a country rich in history and warm hospitality, commited to building a stronger health system.

Join us for the European Immunization Week 2026 webinar (online) on 20 April 2026, 13:30–15:30 CET 👇 bit.ly/48zFTSm #EuropeanImmunizationWeek #VaccinesWork

Health is not a luxury - it is a fundamental human right.