In 2021, Uzbekistan will spend about 20 trillion soums (equivalent to more than 1.9 billion U.S. dollars) to enhance its health sector, according to Radio Liberty’s Uzbek Service.

A totaled reportedly includes 3 trillion soums (equivalent to some 290 million U.S. dollars) to combat the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and 1.8 trillion soums (equivalent to some 174 million U.S. dollars) to purchase medicines. 

This was announced yesterday during a videoconference meeting, presided over by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.          

Uzbek media reports say the meeting was held to discuss the parameters of the national budget for 2021.  

The coronavirus contagion has had a grave impact on many plans, according to Uzbekistan’s National News Agency (UzA).  As a result of the decisions and timely measures taken, the implementation of budget parameters for the current year is reportedly being ensured. This made it possible to channel 13.4 trillion soums to counter the pandemic, UzA says.

According to COVID-19 data provided by Worldmeter, coronavirus cases in Uzbekistan have been reported at 63,607 as of the morning of October 20.  Of them, 60,717 have recovered and 531 have died.