Uzbekistan develops national strategy to combat childhood cancer with support from international experts

Uzbekistan has developed a National Strategy for Combating Childhood Cancer for 2025–2030 with the involvement of international experts, according to a presidential decree.

The key goals of the strategy include:

• Increasing the rate of early detection of cancer in children to 65%;
• Raising the one-year survival rate for children with oncological and oncohematological diseases from 34% to 90%, and the five-year survival rate to at least 60%;
• Ensuring 100% of children with cancer have access to specialized medical care;
• Creating conditions in primary healthcare institutions to detect signs of childhood cancer.

The strategy will initially be implemented at medical facilities in the city of Samarkand and the Ishtikhan district. Once the necessary infrastructure is in place, the program will be gradually expanded to other regions of the country.

The project includes the introduction of a digital patient pathway, which will encompass registration, diagnosis, treatment, follow-up monitoring, and patient routing for children with cancer and blood-related diseases.

Additionally, it will allow for remote doctor appointments and online consultations. Artificial intelligence technologies will be introduced as part of the strategy by the end of the year.

An International Academic Hub for Pediatric Oncology will be established under the Scientific-Practical Medical Center for Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, and Immunology.

Furthermore, until January 1, 2028, educational and scientific laboratory equipment, computers, multimedia products, teaching and methodological literature, and other resources imported by the hub that are not produced in Uzbekistan will be exempt from customs duties (excluding VAT and customs clearance fees).