These days, discussion spread on social networks about the statement of the Minister of Health on the informal payments to physicians as a kind of gratitude for services. The Public Council under the Anti-Corruption Agency announces its position regarding this statement of the Minister of Health.

Reducing corruption in the healthcare system is one of the main issues on the agenda of the Ministry of Health, the Anti-Corruption Agency, the general public, in particular, the Public Council under the Agency.

For this reason, on January 25, the Anti-Corruption Agency held a dialogue with representatives of responsible structures, the Public Council under the Agency, journalists, during which specific measures aimed at eradicating corruption were identified.

The Public Council supports the work initiated by the leadership of the Ministry of Health to prevent corruption. At the same time, the Council declares that informal (gratitude) payments to physicians are contrary to the law and to the anti-corruption policy pursued in Uzbekistan. In addition, such statements will only cause an increase in the number of corruption crimes in the system, a decrease in the status of the medical profession, and a decrease in public confidence in the healthcare system.

The Joint Statement of the Anti-Corruption Agency, the Ministry of Health and the Civil Service Development Agency outlined the key tasks, including “creating decent working conditions for medical workers and increasing their income, as well as taking practical measures to strengthen their social protection, introducing modern mechanisms for paying wages by the qualifications of medical workers, as well as by the volume, complexity and quality of the medical services they provide.”

The Public Council notes that the main goal of the Ministry of Health should be the elimination of illegal practices, including receiving informal payments from patients (whether voluntary or not), as well as the introduction of a multi-level wage mechanism. The Public Council also informs that public control will be established on this issue.

The Public Council under the Anti-Corruption Agency