IMPROVING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF HEALTH INSURANCE IMPLEMENTATION IN UZBEKISTAN: POLICY DIRECTIONS AND COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVES

This thesis examines the effectiveness of introducing compulsory state health insurance (SHI) in Uzbekistan, focusing on its regulatory foundations, pilot project results, and lessons drawn from international experience. Using a methodology that integrates legal analysis, official reports, and comparative review of Germany, South Korea, and Turkey, the study highlights reforms aimed at strengthening primary health care, introducing performance-based financing mechanisms, digitalizing service provision, and ensuring equitable access. The discussion emphasizes financial sustainability, transparency, quality assurance, and public awareness as central priorities. The paper concludes that phased scaling of SHI, coupled with investments in primary care and digital health infrastructure, is essential for advancing towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Uzbekistan.