Significant changes aimed at fundamentally improving the quality of professional and higher medical education are planned in Uzbekistan's healthcare system. This was reported by Upl.uz.
The main innovation is the establishment of the Professional Medical Academy based on the Tashkent State Medical University. This new academy will replace the current Nursing Academy.
These proposals were presented to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during a presentation on the development of the sector and improving the quality of medical services provided to the population. The new structure aims to elevate the quality of training for mid-level medical personnel to a new level.
One of the most important innovations is the introduction of international standards into the educational process. Joint educational programs are planned to be developed and implemented together with international partners.
Additionally, an international certification based on the widely used NCLEX exam will be introduced to assess nurses' qualifications. Moreover, admission quotas for the specialty "higher education in nursing" at higher education institutions will be gradually increased.
This step is aimed at enhancing the prestige of the profession and improving the qualifications of specialists who work directly with patients. The changes will not only cover the nursing field.
All curricula will undergo accreditation in accordance with the requirements of international organizations. A new integrated education model will be introduced, and a mandatory one-year internship will be established for family doctors to deepen their practical training.
The system for assessing students' knowledge will also be revised. A two-stage control mechanism will be implemented to ensure a fairer and more comprehensive evaluation of future medical specialists' competencies.
Special attention will also be paid to practical training. Students are expected to spend more time at patient bedsides to strengthen their skills in clinical settings.
To improve personnel policy and ensure transparency in the sector, a unified registration system for medical workers will be gradually introduced. This registry will enable effective human resource management, monitoring of specialists' professional development, and long-term workforce planning.
The NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) exam is planned to be introduced in Uzbekistan; it is mandatory for nursing licensure in the USA, Canada, and Australia. Successfully passing this exam confirms that the candidate possesses the necessary knowledge and skills to provide safe and effective care to patients.
