AGP Executive Report

Healthcare Diplomacy: Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan signed MoUs to expand cooperation in virtual care, health insurance, digital transformation, medical education and workforce development, with talks also covering progress on Uzbekistan’s 800-bed Fergana Hospital project. Cross-Border Health & Industry: At a Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan business forum in Bishkek, officials discussed joint ventures in medicine and agro-industry, including a diagnostic and treatment center in Osh and medical goods production in Chui. Public Health Research Funding: Hong Kong’s Research Grants Council announced record funding of about $478m for 12 projects, including medical imaging technology and healthcare-focused research under its AoE and TRS schemes. Food Security & Nutrition Science: Uzbekistan is pushing “software” agriculture via epigenetics to raise yields and cut costs, framing genetics plus epigenetics as the next frontier for food security. Digital Health/AI Ecosystems: The ITU launched its AI for Good Lab to help developing economies build responsible AI policy, skills and public infrastructure—relevant for future health tech scaling. Workforce Context: Uzbekistan’s average monthly nominal wage rose 18.4% y/y to UZS 7.09mn in 1H 2026, with Tashkent leading.

Saudi-Uzbek Healthcare Deal: Saudi Minister of Health Fahad AlJalajel visited Tashkent and signed MoUs to expand cooperation in virtual care, health insurance, digital transformation, medical education, and workforce development, with talks also covering the Fergana Hospital project. Kyrgyzstan–Uzbek Joint Ventures in Health: At a Bishkek business forum, Uzbekistan’s Laziz Kudratov said about 450 joint ventures already operate between the two countries, including healthcare work such as a diagnostic and treatment center in Osh and medical goods production in Chui. Medical Tourism Demand Signal: A report says India’s foreign-patient market could reach ₹1.56 lakh crore by 2030, with patients including from Uzbekistan—highlighting regional competition for patients and services. Food Security via Epigenetics: Uzbekistan is pushing “epigenetics” to boost yields and lower costs, framing genetics as “hardware” and epigenetics as “software” in a new FAO-backed food security push. Antibiotic Resistance on Farms: A regional piece warns antimicrobial resistance is driven not only in hospitals but also through antibiotic use in livestock, a key Central Asia health risk. UN Refugee Convention at 75: UNHCR marked the 75th anniversary amid rising political pressures, stressing refugee protection remains essential.

Saudi-Uzbek Health Deal: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Health Fahad AlJalajel visited Tashkent and signed MoUs to expand cooperation in virtual care, health insurance, digital transformation, medical education, and workforce development, with talks also covering the Fergana Hospital project. Kyrgyz-Uzbek Business & Care Links: In Bishkek, Uzbekistan’s trade minister Laziz Kudratov said about 450 joint ventures operate between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, including healthcare efforts like a diagnostic and treatment center in Osh and medical goods production in Chui. Afghan-Uzbek Medical Cooperation: Afghan officials met Uzbekistan’s health representatives to discuss treating Afghan patients (including cancer and heart disease), plus pharmaceutical development, quality-control labs, and training for medical staff. Food Security & Nutrition Science: Uzbekistan is looking to epigenetics as the “software” of agriculture to raise yields and cut costs, as it prepares for future crop productivity gains. Refugee Protection at 75: UNHCR marked the 75th anniversary of the Refugee Convention, stressing that refugee protection remains crucial amid rising political pressures. AI for Good Lab: The ITU launched an AI for Good Lab in Geneva to help developing economies build responsible AI policy, skills, and public infrastructure—relevant for health tech capacity-building. Antibiotic Resistance on Farms: A regional focus highlights how antibiotic use in livestock can drive drug resistance, a key health risk beyond hospitals.

Healthcare Diplomacy: Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan are expanding healthcare cooperation after talks in Tashkent, including digital transformation, medical and pharma industries, workforce development, and progress on the Fergana Hospital project (800 beds). Food Security & Nutrition Science: Uzbekistan is pushing “epigenetics” as the next frontier to raise crop yields and cut costs, framing genetics as “hardware” and epigenetics as “software” in a new FAO-backed food security push. Mental Health & Family Well-Being: A Central Asia family mediation training (including mediators from Uzbekistan) focused on handling disputes involving children, domestic violence, and addiction—positioning mediation as a way to protect family stability. Public Health Risk in Agriculture: Regional coverage highlights how antibiotic resistance is driven not just in hospitals but also on farms, raising alarm for Central Asia’s food and livestock systems. Cross-Border Health Cooperation: Afghan and Uzbek officials discussed expanding health sector ties, including treatment of Afghan patients (cancer, heart disease), plus pharmaceutical development and medical equipment production. Healthcare Access & Safety: A lawsuit in the US alleges a prison health contractor failed to provide epilepsy medication, leading to a seizure injury—another reminder of medication continuity risks for vulnerable patients.

Antibiotic Resistance on Farms: New regional reporting highlights how heavy antibiotic use in livestock can accelerate antimicrobial resistance, raising risks beyond hospitals and into food systems. One Health Heat Threat: A Central Asia “One Health” brief warns that extreme heat is hitting people, livestock, crops, and disease spread together—calling for shared monitoring and early warnings across health, veterinary, and environment agencies. Uzbekistan–Afghanistan Health Links: Afghan and Uzbek officials discussed expanding cooperation on treating patients (including cancer and heart disease), plus pharmaceutical development, medical equipment, and quality-control labs. Psychological Assistance Law (Kyrgyzstan): Kyrgyzstan is drafting a unified law to define psychological services, set qualification rules, and protect citizens from low-quality providers, with Uzbekistan cited as a reference. Uzbekistan–Kyrgyzstan Trade Growth: Coverage notes rapidly rising bilateral trade and cooperation, which can indirectly support health supply chains and regional services. Food Safety Import Ban (Russia): Russia’s dairy import suspension over alleged health and tracing failures underscores ongoing cross-border food safety pressure affecting regional producers.

Mental Health Policy: Kyrgyzstan is drafting a law “On Psychological Activity and Psychological Assistance” to set unified rules, define psychological services beyond the medical field, and require qualified specialists to protect citizens from low-quality care. Heat & Health (One Health): A One Health expert warns Central Asia’s extreme heat is driving dehydration and illness in people, lowering livestock resilience, damaging pastures and water, and shifting disease-carrying vectors—so responses must link meteorology, healthcare, veterinary, agriculture, and environment agencies. Cross-Border Health Cooperation: Afghan and Uzbek officials discussed expanding health sector ties, including treatment of Afghan patients (notably cancer and heart disease), pharmaceutical development, and quality-control lab cooperation. Uzbek Agriculture Under Review: Russia’s veterinary authority restricted imports of fruits and vegetables from five Uzbek exporters over phytosanitary violations, citing multiple quarantine pest detections in 2026. Regional Trade With Health Implications: Uzbekistan–Kyrgyzstan cooperation is deepening, with trade turnover rising sharply in 2025 and early 2026—supporting broader regional access to goods and services, including health-related supplies.

Uzbekistan–France Cancer Care Boost: Uzbekistan and France agreed to deepen healthcare cooperation in Tashkent, including launching a branch of the Gustave Roussy Cancer Center in Uzbekistan, expanding specialist training in France, improving access to and financing essential medicines, and piloting new diagnostic technologies; they also discussed modern trauma care centers in Tashkent region resort areas (Amirsoy, Aktash, Khumson, Chimgan). Afghan Health Cooperation: Kabul and Tashkent discussed expanding health sector ties, including treatment of Afghan patients (notably cancer and heart disease), pharmaceutical development, and medical equipment production, plus staff training and quality-control lab cooperation. Heat as a One Health Threat: A regional “One Health” perspective warns that extreme heat across Central Asia raises risks for people, livestock, and ecosystems, calling for coordinated early warning and data sharing across health, veterinary, agriculture, and environmental agencies. Health-Adjacent Migration Note: Belarus signaled it will rely on local authorities and enterprise needs for recruiting Uzbek workers, after complaints about wages and working conditions—an issue that can affect access to healthcare and living standards for migrants. Sports Nutrition & Injury Prevention (Uzbekistan in focus): Uzbekistan is among 17 Asian countries sending archers to a training camp in Tongi (July 30–Aug 2) focused on injury prevention, sports nutrition, sports psychology, and anti-doping.

Health Diplomacy: Afghan and Uzbek officials met in Kabul to expand cooperation in cancer and heart-disease treatment, plus pharmaceutical development and medical equipment production, including staff training and quality-control lab links. Cross-Border Health & Mobility: Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan’s ties keep deepening, with trade surging and tourism rising; experts link the growth to easier border crossings and better infrastructure—good news for regional access to care and services. One Health & Climate Risk: Central Asia is facing more extreme heat, raising risks for people, livestock, and ecosystems; the “One Health” approach calls for shared monitoring, early warnings, and data exchange across health, veterinary, agriculture, and environment agencies. Food Safety Watch: Russia’s veterinary authority restricted imports of fruits and vegetables from five Uzbek exporters over phytosanitary violations, citing detected quarantine pests and diseases in 2026 supplies. Workforce Health Access: Belarus plans to recruit Uzbek workers but officials stress local authorities should decide needs; the policy includes access to healthcare and education, while wage concerns have surfaced.

Afghan–Uzbek Health Ties: Afghan and Uzbek officials met in Kabul to expand cooperation in healthcare, including treatment of Afghan patients (notably cancer and heart disease), plus pharmaceutical development and medical equipment production. Pharma Capacity Building: Talks also covered training for technical staff, quality-control laboratories, and lab equipment cooperation through Uzbekistan’s pharmaceutical industry agency. Heat as a One Health Risk: A Central Asia “One Health” perspective highlights how extreme heat is driving health harms, livestock stress, and ecosystem strain—calling for shared monitoring, early warnings, and data sharing across health, veterinary, agriculture, and environment agencies. Food Safety Pressure on Imports: Russia’s veterinary authority restricted fruits and vegetables from five Uzbek exporters over phytosanitary violations, citing quarantine pests detected in 2026. Regional Health-Adjacent Cooperation: Uzbekistan’s broader regional diplomacy continues, including health-sector cooperation discussions with neighboring states and cross-border partnerships that can support medical capacity.

Heat & One Health: A new regional warning links extreme heat to higher illness and death, livestock stress, and even shifts in disease-carrying insects—pushing Central Asia to coordinate health, veterinary, meteorology, and environmental monitoring. Food safety & imports: Russia’s veterinary watchdog restricted fruits and vegetables from five Uzbek exporters after detecting quarantine pests and diseases in 2026 shipments, with the move taking effect July 23. Medical tourism spotlight: A report on why patients increasingly travel to India highlights demand for cardio, IVF, and dental care—useful context for Uzbekistan’s own healthcare and wellness audience. Cross-border health workforce: Belarusian officials discussed recruiting Uzbek workers while emphasizing local decisions on labor needs and mentioning access to healthcare and education for arrivals. Regional cooperation: Uzbekistan’s leaders traded birthday calls and discussed broader economic ties with neighbors—an indirect but important factor for health supply chains and services.

Heat & One Health: A One Health expert warns Central Asia’s extreme heat is driving health harms, livestock stress, and higher zoonotic spillover risk, calling for shared monitoring, early warnings, and data links across health, veterinary, meteorology, and environment agencies. Food safety & imports: Russia’s Rosselkhoznadzor restricts fruits and vegetables from five Uzbek exporters over phytosanitary violations, citing dozens of quarantine pest detections in 2026. Medical travel spotlight: A report on India’s medical tourism growth highlights how translators and support services help foreign patients navigate care, paperwork, and emergencies—relevant for Uzbekistan’s regional patient flows. Disaster readiness: A Kyrgyzstan interview details upgrades to hydrometeorological monitoring to improve forecasts for floods, landslides, and extreme heat. Workforce & health access: Belarusian officials discuss Uzbek labor recruitment and wage expectations, including earlier promises of access to healthcare and education for incoming workers.

Extreme Heat & One Health: A Central Asia “One Health” expert warns that record heat is driving dehydration and higher mortality, stressing livestock immunity, damaging pastures and water, and shifting tick and mosquito risks—so responses need coordinated health, veterinary, meteorology, and environmental early-warning systems. Heat Strains Health Services: Reports across the region describe heat buckling roads, overloading power grids, and increasing pressure on ambulance services, with Uzbekistan also seeing consumption and generation records. Zoonotic Risk Communication: Uzbekistan-linked regional One Health partners ran a media webinar urging more responsible reporting on zoonotic threats like avian influenza, to reduce panic and improve public understanding. Medical Workforce Mobility: Uzbekistan and the Czech Republic signed agreements to expand organized labor migration into Czech healthcare, including training and a pilot to place Uzbek medical and social care workers. Food Safety & Imports: Russia’s Rosselkhoznadzor restricted imports of fruits and vegetables from five Uzbek exporters over phytosanitary violations, citing multiple quarantine pests detected in 2026. Work Migration Policy Signals: Belarus leaders said Uzbek workers shouldn’t expect “several thousand dollars” and that local authorities should decide whether migrants are needed—touching on health access and working conditions for migrants. Workplace Safety (Uzbek Worker): A Uzbek subcontractor died in South Korea after a gondola accident at an LNG carrier site, prompting safety investigations and renewed labor concerns.

Health Workforce & Migration: Uzbekistan and the Czech Republic signed agreements to expand organized labor migration into healthcare, including a pilot to train and employ Uzbek medical and social care workers and cooperation with Penta Hospitals International. Infectious Disease Communication: A One Health webinar for Central Asian journalists focused on how to report zoonotic risks like avian influenza (H5N1) accurately and responsibly, aiming to reduce panic and improve prevention messaging. Heat & Emergency Strain: Reports across Central Asia describe extreme heat buckling roads, overloading power grids, and pressuring ambulance services, with Uzbekistan also seeing consumption and generation records. Disaster Preparedness: A Kyrgyzstan interview highlights modernization of hydrometeorological monitoring to improve forecasting of floods, mudflows, landslides, and extreme heat—key for earlier public warnings. Regional Health Context: Uzbekistan’s broader push for Islamic civilization and tolerance is also framed as supporting science and education, while a separate rights report warns that restrictions and digital repression can affect public wellbeing and access to support.

Uzbek healthcare upgrade: A Namangan trauma and orthopedics center is receiving €10m worth of Austrian equipment under a modernization deal, with 329 items already delivered and the rest due by year-end. Workforce mobility: Uzbekistan and the Czech Republic signed agreements to pilot training and organized employment of Uzbek medical and social care workers in Czech hospitals, including a joint working group and regular labor-market exchanges. Infectious disease communication: A One Health Program webinar trained journalists on how to report zoonotic risks and avian influenza (H5N1) responsibly, aiming to reduce panic and improve public understanding. Heat and health pressure: Extreme mid-July heat across Central Asia is straining roads, power grids and emergency services; Uzbekistan is reported to have hit consumption and generation records, raising health risks. Regional health-adjacent safety: A Uzbek subcontractor was killed at an HD Hyundai shipyard in South Korea, highlighting ongoing workplace safety concerns for migrant workers. Health system capacity building: Uzbekistan’s hospital modernization and staff exchange efforts point to continued investment in care quality and cross-border medical labor pipelines.

Medical Equipment Boost: Namangan’s Republican Specialized Scientific and Practical Medical Center of Traumatology and Orthopedics is receiving €10 million worth of Austrian equipment to upgrade trauma and orthopedic care, with most deliveries already in and the rest due before year-end. Workforce & Training: Uzbekistan and the Czech Republic signed agreements to expand organized labor migration for healthcare workers, including a pilot to train and employ Uzbek staff in Czech medical and social care institutions. Regional Health Cooperation: Afghan and Uzbek officials met to expand cooperation in pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, health products, and food, including technical knowledge transfer and joint programs. Public Health Communication: A One Health Program webinar in Central Asia trained journalists on how to report zoonotic risks like avian influenza accurately and responsibly, aiming to reduce rumor-driven panic. Heat-Related Strain: Extreme heat across Central Asia damaged roads and strained power grids and ambulance services, raising health risks as temperatures stayed above 40°C in parts of the region. Pharma Industry Growth: Uzbekistan’s pharmaceutical production reportedly exceeded UZS 2.3 trillion in five months, signaling continued expansion in local manufacturing.

Medical Modernization: Namangan’s Republican Specialized Scientific and Practical Medical Center of Traumatology and Orthopedics is receiving €10M worth of Austrian equipment to upgrade trauma and orthopedic care, with most deliveries already in and the rest due before year-end. Health Workforce Mobility: Uzbekistan and the Czech Republic signed agreements to train and employ Uzbek workers in Czech medical and social care institutions, including a pilot program and cooperation with Penta Hospitals International. Regional Health Cooperation: Afghan and Uzbek officials met to expand cooperation in pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, health products, and food, including technical knowledge transfer and joint programs. Public Health Reporting: Central Asia’s One Health program held a webinar for journalists on how to report zoonotic risks, including avian influenza, accurately without panic. Extreme Heat Strain: Mid-July heat across Central Asia is buckling roads, stressing power grids, and increasing pressure on ambulance services—raising health risks as temperatures stay above 40°C in parts of the region. Pharma Production: Uzbekistan’s pharmaceutical production reportedly exceeded UZS 2.3 trillion in five months. One Health & Zoonoses: Media guidance targets better coverage of H5N1 and other zoonotic threats to reduce rumor-driven responses.