Are medical services paid in family polyclinics?

^{Photo: SSV}
In social networks, there were reports that some medical services in family clinics will be paid. Shukhrat Almardanov, Head of the Medical Insurance Department of the Ministry of Health, commented on these reports.

Article 48 of the Constitution states that citizens of Uzbekistan have the right to receive a guaranteed amount of medical care at state expense in the manner established by law.

According to the relevant order of the Ministry of Health, currently, the list of guaranteed volumes of medical care includes 28 diagnostic examinations, 22 laboratory tests, 138 types of medicines, 57 medical devices, and 110 most common diagnoses in family medicine clinics, family polyclinics, and multidisciplinary central polyclinics, as well as 28 diagnostic examinations, 46 laboratory tests, 235 types of medicines, 76 medical devices, 27 surgical procedures, and 257 most common diagnoses in district (city) central hospitals, which are provided free of charge at state expense.

The new draft law introduces amendments and additions to the Law "On the Protection of Citizens' Health" to determine the types of medical care that are considered additional services in addition to the guaranteed volumes of medical care provided free of charge to the population in primary medical and sanitary care institutions.

This is intended to regulate additional services that are not included in the free medical care package guaranteed by the state to the population in primary health care institutions.

According to this draft law, in order to receive medical services included in the guaranteed volume at state expense or free of charge, the patient is required to undergo appropriate medical examinations in primary health care institutions within the established time limits, and to contact a family doctor or a medical team. This does not include emergency and first aid, of course.

In order for a patient to visit a specialist in a narrow field and receive treatment, a referral from a family doctor is required. After that, medical services within the guaranteed volume are provided free of charge.

In this case, the family doctor issues an electronic referral to doctors in a narrow field in accordance with the standards of treatment and diagnosis, and if necessary, to hospitals, and the patient is examined by a doctor in a narrow field based on this referral and (or) hospitalized on his recommendation. In cases where this procedure is not followed, medical services are provided on a paid basis.

This means that the provision of medical and other services in excess of the guaranteed amount of medical care in primary health care institutions is considered additional services and is carried out on a paid basis.

It is determined that medical care provided to citizens who apply without a referral from a family doctor or medical team is considered an additional service (with the exception of emergency and first aid). Follow “Zamin” news on “Telegram”