GIZ BACKUP Health supports Uzbekistan’s State Health Insurance Fund in scaling up its drug reimbursement system — advancing universal health coverage and improving access to essential medicines.
GIZ BACKUP Health is working with Uzbekistan’s State Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) to scale up its national drug reimbursement system — a key milestone on the country’s path toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC). In June and September 2025, consultant Nataliia Hnatyuk provided targeted technical support, reviewing policies and digital workflows, visiting polyclinics and pharmacies in Tashkent and Syrdarya, and holding consultations with SHIF officials. She also shared Ukraine’s experience in reimbursement systems — including approaches to costing, benchmarking, and defining medicine inclusion criteria — and met with UZINFOCOM to explore digitalisation opportunities.
A robust drug reimbursement system reduces out-of-pocket costs, strengthens chronic disease management, enhances financial protection, and prevents avoidable hospitalisations. The consultant delivered a strategic roadmap for scaling up the system, including recommendations for process optimisation, methodological refinement, and readiness assessment — paving the way for a nationwide rollout.
This initiative is supported by GIZ BACKUP Health, with funding from the Swiss Confederation.
