Uzbekistan Health Insurance

Uzbekistan, officially the Republic of Uzbekistan, is a country in central Asia that was once a part of the Soviet Union. This landlocked nation shares borders with Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. With its close proximity to the Middle East, the majority of the country’s more than 28 million people are Muslim, yet many different variations of the religion are practiced. The rest of the population is primarily Eastern Orthodox Christian. Native Uzbeks account for about 80 percent of the population, with Russians, Tajiks and Kazakhs accounting for the majority of the rest of the population.

Since gaining its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Uzbekistan has struggled politically and economically. The country is trying to make significant progress by moving from a commodities-based economy to one of a more market-based economy, but the country’s strict economic controls have prevented that change from occurring. Reliance on agriculture in the past 40 years has significantly hurt the country’s environment, mainly the country’s water supply and its air. The pollution also attributes to many of the country’s health problems. The country has a continental climate, with very hot summers and very cold winters, and has very little rain.

Uzbekistan Health Care System and Medical Insurance

Given the country’s poor economic situation, the country’s healthcare system is severely underdeveloped. Uzbekistan’s health indices highlight the limited access to proper healthcare. The country’s total expenditure on health per capita in 2009 was only US$152, which is significantly less than the regional average of about US$2,000, and total expenditures on health as a percent of GDP was only 5.2 percent. Life expectancy for men is only 66 years old. While this number is on par with the global average, it is significantly less than the regional average of 71. Women’s life expectancy is about 71, which is again on par with the global average but is 8 years younger than the regional average. Obesity and tobacco use rates are low with only about 14 percent of men and just less than 20 percent of women being obese and 23 percent of men and 3 percent of women smoking tobacco. These statistics are well below the regional averages. While the infant mortality rates is only about 22 deaths per 1,000 births, the population growth rate is only .94 percent.

The country’s healthcare sector has experienced a dramatic decline since gaining its independence in 1991 without the financial support and subsidies from the Soviet Union. Even though the country suffers from a poor economic situation, the Uzbekistan constitution states that all citizens have access to free healthcare at state-operated facilities. In 2006, the country only devoted about 11 percent of its budget to healthcare, and there has been only a marginal increase since that time. There is currently only about 1 hospital bed per 207 people and there is only one physician to every 382 people. The country does have a private healthcare sector that is small but developing.

Uzbekistan Health Insurance Options

While there are both public state-operated and private healthcare facilities in Uzbekistan, the quality of both falls below the standards found in more developed countries. As with many universal healthcare systems, waiting times at state-operated hospitals and clinics can be long and conditions can be unsanitary. There have also been some issues with patients bribing doctors in order to be treated more quickly. Additionally, many medical personal have left the country because of the poor conditions, resulting in even less staff to support the facilities.

Uzbekistan does have a private healthcare industry. However, even the best of those facilities often fall short of standards found in Europe and North America. Many of the hospitals and clinics, both private and public, also lack sufficient supplies, such as equipment, medicine, vaccines and other items. Pharmacies in Uzbekistan, additionally, do not often match Western standards and the medicine found at many places is known to be fake. Most expatriates living in Uzbekistan will travel to Europe or their home country to seek medical attention and medicine, so it is advisable that visitors have international medical insurance in order to cover the cost associated with receiving healthcare services overseas.

The country’s severe pollution problems have also attributed to many of the health problem’s its people face. Common diseases are those from polluted drinking water, typhoid, hepatitis, dysentery, cholera and cancer. The most common causes of death include cardiovascular, digestive, respiratory, infectious and parasitic diseases. The Human Immunodeficiency Virus, or HIV, has also been a growing epidemic in the country during the last 5 years, particularly because of increased drug use among its citizens.

Uzbekistan Travel Insurance Concerns

As the country lacks facilities that meet Western standards and hospitals and clinics often are not stocked with adequate supplies, it is imperative that travelers and expats moving to Uzbekistan have evacuation coverage on their Uzbekistan health insurance plans. Travelers to other countries should always seek advice from their doctor or travel medicine specialist, and it is especially important to be up-to-date on health updates for Uzbekistan. Along with routine vaccinations, travelers should have their Hepatitis A and B shots, Typhoid, Polio and Rabies vaccines. Be sure to drink only bottled or boiled water, avoid undercooked meats, only eat washed and peeled fruits and vegetables and do not eat dairy or street food.

Along with some health concerns, Uzbekistan can be dangerous for travelers from some Western countries, particularly travelers from the United States. There are still a significant number of terrorist groups in the country that continue to make terrorist threats, particularly against US interests. In addition, violent crime, particularly against foreigners has increased in the past few years. Visitors are urged to use caution when traveling in Uzbekistan and to be mindful of local customs and traditions.

Uzbekistan Expat Medical Insurance

While having adequate international medical insurance is advisable to any traveler, it is extremely important that travelers to Uzbekistan have proper medical insurance in case of any emergency. Searching for the right international medical insurance plan doesn’t have to be difficult, and Expat Medical Insurance can help make sure the process of getting you, your family and your employees insured runs smoothly. Our team of knowledgeable representatives are available around the clock to help you with your international medical insurance needs and can get started creating a plan for you. So contact Expat Medical Insurance today to get started.