New initiatives to strengthen the social protection system have been put forward

Uzbekistan is a social state. Based on this constitutional principle, the social support and assistance system is becoming closer to the population. “Inson” centers have been opened in all regions, and 102 types of social services have been introduced in mahallas. Social workers, visiting homes, assisted another 95 thousand needy people not previously included in the register. 51 thousand people were diagnosed with disabilities, and 26 thousand received prostheses. 4 thousand lonely older people were identified and provided home care. 5 thousand children with disabilities were placed in kindergartens and schools.

Thanks to such targeted work, the number of requests to people’s reception offices and hokimiyats on social services and assistance decreased by 35 percent. 

Three months ago, 14 thousand managers at the regional and district levels were assigned to 75 thousand low-income families for individual work. As a result, 17 thousand people from these families were employed permanently, and the income of 14 thousand people increased due to entrepreneurship and personal subsidiary farms. Kindergartens, clubs, and vocational training cover 30 thousand children, and 45 thousand people in need were provided medical care. 

However, in some places, the work is not organized effectively enough. For example, 184 managers never visited the homes of the low-income families assigned to them. The employment rate of people with disabilities in the country, on average, reached 20 percent, but this figure is significantly lower in Jalaquduq, Chimbay, Pastdargom, Chartak, and Denau districts. Of the 598 social facilities included in the investment program for next year, not a single one was adapted for people with disabilities.

The shortcomings that had been made were reviewed at the meeting, and further measures were discussed. The President presented new initiatives to strengthen the social protection system.

It was emphasized that to lift 1.2 million people out of poverty next year, it is necessary to address issues of education, vocational training, medicine, and improving living conditions.

There are successful examples. For example, Early Development Centers were opened in Taylak and Kasansay districts, where 4.2 thousand children from low-income families and children with disabilities received preschool education. The hokims of the regions were instructed to study this experience and implement it in each district.

In addition, family kindergartens will begin operating in a thousand mahallas with a high poverty rate next year. From the new year, 15 percent of places in such kindergartens will be provided to children from low-income families, and the state will subsidize part of the payment.

Additional opportunities for the education of children from low-income families will be created. 118 thousand young people will be trained in foreign languages, IT, and professional skills. Up to 80 percent of parents’ expenses for these clubs will be subsidized from the budget. In 2025, 3.5 thousand of these children will enter universities on a grant basis. 

23 thousand people in low-income families who cannot move independently are cared for by their parents, spouses, or children. From January 2025, home care will be organized for 19 thousand of them, and daycare will be organized for 4 thousand. This will allow 15 thousand people who previously cared for them to engage in labor activities. The state will compensate 80 percent of the costs to the private sector providing care services. This initiative will first be implemented in Tashkent and by the end of the year – in all regions.

460 thousand people from low-income families need medical care, and 6 thousand families need help improving their housing conditions. Next year, an additional 185 billion UZS will be allocated to the health insurance fund to pay for surgical operations for those in need. Funds from the “social registers” will be used exclusively to improve the housing conditions of low-income families and increase their income.

Currently, citizens have to provide more than 10 different documents to receive social services and assistance. Now, they will all be replaced by a single social card. The card will allow free use of public transport and compensation for electricity, gas, and tuition. Benefits and social assistance will also be transferred to this card. The system will be tested in Tashkent and Yangiyul district until July 1 and implemented everywhere.

At the meeting, issues of supporting people with disabilities were also discussed. The level of rehabilitation in 33 districts was extremely low. It was instructed to organize rehabilitation services in each regional and district hospital. Financing of occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and therapeutic gymnastics in 12 rehabilitation centers will be increased by 5 times. Rehabilitation departments will be opened in 7 medical universities, and teachers will undergo retraining based on the experience of Korea.

Some types of disabilities can be treated with exercises performed at home. An exercise program and a healthy diet menu will be developed for such patients. The effectiveness of rehabilitation will be assessed by changes in patients’ mobility and communication, and doctors will be paid salary bonuses on this basis.

The list of prostheses and rehabilitation equipment has been increased from 18 to 30 items, and their funding has increased by 1.5 times. Next year, it is planned to add 7 more types of equipment to the list, meeting the needs of 80 thousand people.

Thanks to the opportunities created, entrepreneurs have employed 40 thousand people with disabilities this year. Since January, the social tax rate for such enterprises will be 1 percent. Enterprises will also be provided subsidies of up to 50 million UZS for the services of sign language interpreters, psychologists, and accompanying persons for visually impaired employees. Private employment agencies that train and employ people with disabilities will be able to receive grants of up to 500 million UZS. 

At the meeting, other issues related to implementing the planned measures were discussed, and proposals from social sector specialists were heard.