MP demands Health Ministry accountability over rising deaths in private clinics

Gulnara Abduvohidova, a member of the Adolat Social Democratic Party faction and a deputy of the Legislative Chamber, sent an official inquiry to Minister of Health Alisher Khudayorov concerning the growing number of cases in which citizens suffer serious harm or death due to inadequate medical care provided by private clinics.

In her inquiry, the deputy noted that despite positive reforms in the country’s healthcare system in recent years, a worrying rise in tragic incidents — including patient deaths and cases of disability caused by medical malpractice in some private medical facilities — has caused serious public concern.

It was highlighted that the number of convictions for crimes related to the improper fulfillment of professional duties by medical workers has been steadily increasing: 67 individuals were convicted in 2023, 94 in 2024, and 16 in the first quarter of 2025.

Abduvohidova also cited recent tragedies at private clinics in Fergana and Bukhara, as well as a high-profile case where a blogger suffered serious harm after a failed cosmetic surgery — incidents that sparked widespread public outrage on social media. The deputy emphasized the urgent need for a thorough investigation into the causes of this negative trend and immediate corrective action.

As part of her parliamentary inquiry, the deputy posed the following key questions to the Minister of Health:

• What are the underlying causes of the increasing number of such incidents in private medical institutions, and what measures is the Ministry taking to prevent them?
• Has the Ministry analyzed each case of death, disability, or serious health damage that occurred in private clinics, and what practical steps have been taken to prevent their recurrence?
• Is there a systematic mechanism in place to monitor the proper application of treatment methods and adherence to approved medical protocols in private healthcare facilities? What specific measures are being implemented in this area?
• What proposals and initiatives does the Ministry plan to introduce to tighten licensing requirements and conditions for private clinics in order to better protect public health?

The deputy demanded that the Minister of Health provide substantiated answers to the raised questions within 10 days.