Do People in Uzbekistan Believe in Digital Healthcare Opportunities?

Do People in Uzbekistan Trust Digital Capabilities in Healthcare?

The STADA Health Report 2026 study was conducted in 20 countries around the world, including Uzbekistan. In Uzbekistan, 52% of respondents rated the digital capabilities of the healthcare system highly.

The main idea of the forum is to understand how information technologies and artificial intelligence are currently being implemented in the countries where this study was conducted.

Rapid development of information technology and implementation of artificial intelligence are taking place all over the world, and Uzbekistan is no exception.

Uzbekistan has a state strategy running until the year 2030, regulated by a decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Its goals include creating infrastructure, training personnel, forming clusters in information technology and artificial intelligence, and, accordingly, implementing them.

The results of comprehensive research conducted by the Ijtimoiy Fikr organization in Uzbekistan showed that one of the notable outcomes for the country was a high assessment of the digital capabilities of the national healthcare system.

"In relation to Uzbekistan's healthcare system, this is a very good help in terms of early diagnosis, choosing treatment methods, and predicting treatment outcomes. And perhaps the most important point here is a huge reduction in the burden on the healthcare system in terms of financing," said Bakhtiyor Khadjimukhamedov, head of the Stada company in the Republic of Uzbekistan.

52% of residents believe that the system provides them well with digital medical tools and services, whereas the average across the 20 study countries is 28%. Among those surveyed, almost half, 49%, noted that they are ready to entrust a "digital pharmacy" with managing their prescriptions or providing medical advice. At the same time, new technologies are becoming part of the daily attitude toward health: 55% of Uzbeks already use artificial intelligence for these purposes.

Meanwhile, the study results show a broader picture of change. Residents of Uzbekistan rate the healthcare system highly, feel confident in their own ability to manage their health, and are actively mastering new technologies. At the same time, medical professionals and relatives remain the most important guideposts when making decisions, while among the main expectations from the system are increasing the availability of medical care and developing preventive care.

In 2026, 82% of Uzbekistan residents are satisfied with the public healthcare system, compared to an average of 56% across the 20 study countries. This is one of the highest indicators among the countries participating in the STADA Health Report 2026. Over the year, the share of satisfied respondents grew by 13 percentage points. The share of those who are completely satisfied with the system increased particularly noticeably — from 7% in 2025 to 22% in 2026.

Residents also rate highly the system's ability to meet various health needs. Access to medications is rated positively by 65% of respondents, support during healthcare crises by 64%, elderly care by 62%, and preventive care by 57%. The attitude toward digital capabilities stands out separately: 52% of residents believe that the system provides them well with digital medical tools and services — compared to an average of 28% across the study.

One of the central themes of the STADA Health Report 2026 is the impact of artificial intelligence on healthcare and the patient's relationship with medical professionals. In Uzbekistan, 55% of residents already use AI in health matters. The younger generation is mastering new technologies particularly actively: among respondents under 35 years old, this figure reaches 69%.

One of the notable use cases for artificial intelligence is linked to professional medical care already received: 21% of residents turn to AI for a second opinion after visiting a doctor, compared to an average of 16% across the study. At the same time, the attitude toward a more autonomous role for technology remains cautious. Half of the country's residents are not yet ready to consider a consultation with AI instead of seeing a doctor, and 47% are not ready to trust an AI diagnosis to the same extent as a medical specialist's diagnosis. However, 15% of respondents noted that they resort to using AI to better understand a diagnosis they received. Furthermore, 38% of Uzbeks believe that with the development of AI, medical professionals will become even more significant as trusted individuals, compared to an average of 30% among study participants.

Among other things, respondents also noted a high level of readiness for digitalization regarding purchases in online pharmacies — 49%. Meanwhile, 29% of study respondents believe that in the future, the role of medical specialist consultations will shift online. Among the expected future innovations in pharmacies, Uzbeks named home delivery of medications (37%), the option of round-the-clock consultation with a specialist (33%), and the possibility of individual health checks (23%).

The development of new technologies takes place in an environment where health decisions are still largely based on personal trust. 55% of Uzbekistan residents rely on the opinion of doctors and other medical professionals, 53% on a spouse or partner, and 49% on family members. Pharmacists and pharmacy employees retain a significant role — their opinion is taken into account by 43% of respondents. Uzbekistan is also characterized by a notable role of cultural and religious beliefs: 39% of residents note their influence, compared to an average of 19% across the study. 31% of respondents rely on state bodies and institutions, compared to an average of 14%.

"Today, healthcare in Uzbekistan is changing rapidly, and it is especially important that these changes are noticed by the people themselves. More than half of the study participants rate the system's digital capabilities highly, and the use of new technologies, including artificial intelligence, is growing. At the same time, the study shows very well the specific nature of attitudes toward health in our country: the doctor, family, and loved ones remain important to a person. Therefore, the development of technology is not a rejection of the traditional model of healthcare, but the emergence of new opportunities within it. It is important that they help people take better care of their health and make more informed decisions," says Bakhtiyor Khadjimukhamedov.

The high role of doctors and loved ones is combined with a strong sense of personal responsibility for one's health. 85% of Uzbekistan residents believe they are fully or largely capable of controlling their own health — compared to an average of 78% across the study. The share of those who feel complete control over their health is particularly notable: 45% compared to an average of 13% across the 20 countries.

Almost half of the study participants — 48% — believe that the responsibility for being informed on health matters lies primarily with the individual. At the same time, 41% each assign this role to medical professionals and the state.

Answering the question "How would you dispose of a regular influx of additional financial funds if they could be spent on your own health?", 29% would use the funds to buy dietary supplements and vitamins. At the same time, Uzbeks are less willing (9%) to spend funds on acquiring health-support technologies (apps, fitness trackers, etc.).

Residents of the country also feel more confident than average in the flow of medical information: 40% believe they are capable of finding and understanding the necessary health information, compared to an average of 22% across the study.

High satisfaction with the healthcare system does not mean there is no demand for further changes. If residents of Uzbekistan could independently set the priorities for the system's development, 59% would primarily improve access to medical care in rural and underserved regions. 36% would increase the availability of primary healthcare, 35% would reduce wait times and increase the number of medical specialists, and 33% would improve care for the elderly. Meanwhile, further investments in digital medical tools and telemedicine were cited as a priority change by 13% of respondents. Thus, the high assessment of digital capabilities is combined primarily with a request for more even physical availability of medical care.

Another notable gap exists between residents' high confidence in their ability to manage their own health and their actual preventive behavior. 48% of Uzbekistan residents do not undergo any of the available preventive check-ups, compared to an average of 33% across the study. Only 16% undergo all available check-ups.

In recent years, the situation has changed noticeably: the share of residents not undergoing preventive check-ups rose from 25% in 2023 to 39% in 2025 and 48% in 2026. At the same time, the share of those undergoing all available check-ups decreased from 38% to 16%. Nevertheless, residents themselves recognize the value of prevention. If they were given an additional budget that could only be spent on health, 32% would primarily direct it to preventive check-ups and screenings.

The results of the STADA Health Report 2026 show how the attitude of Uzbekistan residents toward their health is changing. High ratings of the system and its digital capabilities are combined with the active adoption of new technologies and people's high confidence in their ability to independently manage their health. At the same time, medical professionals and loved ones remain the most important reference points, while among the main expectations from the system are the availability of medical care and the development of preventive care.