Uzbekistan takes stock of progress and outlines next steps towards universal health coverage

TASHKENT (ILO News) – On 10 and 11 September 2026, the International Labour Organization (ILO) participated in the State Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) International Conference, "State Health Insurance: Reforming Health Financing – Key Achievements and Regional Perspectives".

The conference was organized with the support of the Asian Development Bank, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the ILO, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, the World Bank and the World Health Organization.

The two-day event marked both the fifth anniversary of the SHIF and the 35th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan. It brought together more than 120 participants, including government representatives, national stakeholders, development partners and international experts to reflect on the country's social health protection and health financing reforms and discuss future priorities.

Over the course of the conference, participants reviewed the achievements of the SHIF and examined the challenges that remain on the path towards universal health coverage in Uzbekistan. Established as the country's primary institution for social health protection, the SHIF has spearheaded Uzbekistan's transition towards a reformed system based on strategic purchasing of health services. The Fund is responsible for contracting providers and purchasing services within the State Guaranteed Benefit Package. Since the launch of the reform in 2020, the SHIF has progressively expanded its operations across the country and is expected to achieve nationwide coverage by the end of 2026.

While important progress has been made in strengthening the Fund's purchasing function, out-of-pocket spending remained high in 2023, accounting for 64 per cent of current health expenditure, according to the WHO Global Health Expenditure Database. Further efforts will therefore be needed to enhance financial protection and reduce the burden on households while facilitating access to care. Key priorities include the adoption of an updated legal framework, continued strengthening of the SHIF's role as a strategic purchaser of health services, expansion of the State Guaranteed Benefit Package and sustained efforts to expand effective social health protection coverage to all.

© State Health Insurance Fund

© State Health Insurance Fund

The ILO has supported social protection reforms in Uzbekistan through knowledge exchange, policy dialogue and capacity-building in social health protection. The partnership between the ILO and national stakeholders will continue as the country works towards universal health coverage and universal social protection, including through broader cooperation under the Global Accelerator for Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions.