Berlin, April 21, 2024

‘New Uzbekistan – New Healthcare’ encapsulates the vision of a nation ascending, both in geopolitical, and economic respects. The ambitious objective set forth by the new administration is to establish Uzbekistan as the hub of medical tourism in Central Asia. To actualize this vision, a health platform has been founded to foster collaboration between Uzbekistan and Germany. The German-Uzbek Medical Society Koch-Avicenna (DUMGKA) owes its inception to the pioneering efforts of Professors Drs. medical Helmut Hahn (1st Chairman) and Axel Richter (2nd Chairman) in Berlin in 2023. The society’s name pays homage to the Uzbek doctor and a brilliant Islamic philosopher Ibn Sinha (Avicenna) born in 980 in Khorasan near Bukhara in Uzbekistan.

The inaugural Uzbek – German Health Forum in Samarkand marked a milestone in 2023. The ‘New Uzbekistan-New Healthcare’ conference showed the immense interest of the medical communities in cooperation in all fields of medicine in both Germany and Uzbekistan. It laid down the framework for a dynamic exchange of knowledge and experiences between scientific, commercial, and political actors identifying synergies for joint projects.

The Second German – Uzbek Health Forum took place on April 18-19, 2024, in Berlin. It aimed to enhance healthcare collaboration between Germany and Uzbekistan. The forum focused on three pivotal areas – Emergency Medicine, Oncology, Care and Nursing Services – as priorities for potential future cooperation. In Emergency Medicine, we delves into new technologies and best practices, including an examination of the German helicopter-based rescue system, which could serve as a model for international adaptation. In the field of Oncology, discussionscentered on modern diagnostics and treatments, with a special focus on personalized treatment approaches. This focus reflects a growing trend in global healthcare to tailor treatments to individual patient needs. Care and Nursing Services highlighted the importance of training and educating skilled nurses, recognized as critical for improving healthcare outcomes in both countries.

The forum featured a distinguished Uzbek delegation of 22 members, led by Asilbek Khudayarov, Acting Minister of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan. This delegation included prominent government officials, representatives from the Ministry of Health, scientific and practical medical centers, and medical industry companies, underscoring the significance of this bilateral event.

In his opening remarks, Minister Khudayarov expressed Uzbekistan’s profound gratitude to Germany for its support during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. He highlighted the fruitful bilateral relations in the field of medicine, noting the cooperation with the University of Freiburg and its clinic as a standout example, particularly in the areas of education and training of Uzbek medical professionals.

The health cooperation portfolio between Germany and Uzbekistan continues to develop. The conferences have establiched the groundwork for future collaborative projects, fostering a network of partners committed to long-term health projects that will benefit both nations.

Looking ahead, the next forum, scheduled for 2025 in Uzbekistan, is anticipated to be a “working meeting”. This gathering aims to build upon the foundation laid by the initial two exploratory conferences, setting the stage for strategic advancements. At this future meeting, the concrete results of the bilateral collaborative efforts will be highly welcomed, as advocated by both Minister Khudayarov from the Uzbek and Prof. Dr. Richter from the German side.

We extend our gratitude to the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the German Federal Ministry of Health, along with the respective embassies in Tashkent and
Berlin for their organizational support. Additionally, we acknowledge the GHA – German Health Alliance and the German Eastern Business Association (Ost-Ausschuss) for their significant contributions. The financial backing from GIZ, KfW, and our sponsors within the German medical products industry is also deeply valued.

‘There are no incurable diseases – only the lack of will. There are no useless plants – only the lack of knowledge,’

Avicenna