Starting April 1, 2026, state medical institutions across Uzbekistan have officially transitioned to a five-day work week. This significant change was implemented in accordance with the presidential decree issued on November 9, 2025, which focuses on comprehensive measures to support medical and pharmaceutical workers throughout the country.
To guarantee that the public continues to receive uninterrupted healthcare services, the Ministry of Health has confirmed that medical facilities will not close entirely on weekends. Instead, special duty shifts will be organized during holidays and weekends. This ensures that emergency and essential medical care remains accessible to citizens at all times, balancing the well-being of healthcare professionals with the needs of patients.
Under the newly approved temporary procedure, the standard working hours for medical personnel have been strictly regulated. From April 1, 2026, the weekly working time for healthcare professionals will not exceed 36 hours. Furthermore, individuals working in hazardous or dangerous conditions, as well as those facing high mental and emotional stress, will benefit from specifically reduced working hours. Meanwhile, non-medical staff employed at these institutions will maintain a standard 40-hour work week.
The schedule for polyclinics and family doctor clinics has also been updated. These facilities will operate from 08:00 to 20:00 between Monday and Friday, with a special duty shift on Saturdays from 08:00 to 14:00. In regions where the new healthcare model has been introduced, the primary working hours are set from 08:00 to 16:00, followed by an additional duty shift from 16:00 to 20:00.
The Ministry of Health emphasized that these changes will not negatively impact the financial stability of the workers. Salaries will be fully preserved and will not be reduced despite the shorter standard work week. All internal documents and employment contracts will be officially updated to reflect the new terms. Additionally, inpatient hospitals will maintain continuous round-the-clock duty, with all shifts and responsibilities distributed fairly among the staff.
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