Health systems in transition : Uzbekistan

4.2.4 Relative importance of different health professionals
Similar to many other countries, the Uzbek health system rewards specialists 
over generalists and certain specialties (such as surgery and obstetrics/
gynaecology) over others (such as general practice or internal medicine). 
The expansion of the private sector has played a role in changing the relative 
importance of specialties over recent years. Radiology, for example, was 
underrated during the Soviet era and the early years of independence, with an 
evident shortage of specialists and applicants for residency places. Over the 
last few years, there has been a significant increase in the number of magnetic 
resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) 
machines in the private sector. In conjunction with higher salaries in the 
private sector, this has led to increased demand and competition for radiology 
residency posts. 
Clinicians with a scientific degree and involved in academic teaching are 
considered by the public to be providers of higher quality health care. A number 
of policies to change the public image of “underrated” specialties and the 
(monetary and non-monetary) incentives available to them have been developed, 
although not all of these were successful. Salaries of health professionals at 
primary health care level and involved in the management of tuberculosis 
were increased by 50% in 2011 (Cabinet of Ministers, 2011). Salaries for health 
professionals in state emergency care facilities were set significantly higher 
than those of health workers in state-funded non-emergency health facilities. 

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