Uzbekistan revises procedures for determining disability

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan has changed its procedures for determining disability. Applications can now be submitted remotely, applicants undergo three to four medical examinations before being referred to a medical and labour expert commission (VTEK), compared with the previous nine to ten, and decisions are generated through an electronic system. The National Agency for Social Protection under the President of Uzbekistan announced the changes.

Previously, applicants had to visit a commission at a district centre to submit an application and obtain a referral. Before being referred to VTEK, citizens underwent at least nine to ten examinations, regardless of their medical condition. A lengthy course of treatment was also required before referral.

Under the new procedure, applications can be submitted through the my.gov.uz portal, a mahalla social worker, a family doctor or an operator at an Inson social services centre.

The list of examinations is determined according to the applicant’s disease or condition and includes only those considered necessary. Examinations referred by a family doctor are free of charge. The timing of the referral to VTEK is also determined individually.

A family doctor issues the referral through an electronic system. According to the agency, medical advisory commissions previously received at least 100–110 referrals per month, resulting in queues.

Now, each family doctor handles an average of three to four referrals per month. Applicants no longer need to queue at a district centre, as electronic referrals are issued at their place of residence.

VTEK processes an electronic referral within three working days of receipt. Applicants are notified by SMS of the date, time and address of their assessment. After accepting the referral, the commission conducts the assessment and issues a decision within 20 working days.

The procedure for preparing decisions has also changed. Previously, VTEK expert doctors determined the outcome. Under the new system, an expert doctor enters the applicant’s complaints, information about their objective medical condition and details from their medical records into the electronic system. The software then generates the decision.

The system also automatically determines the disability group, its cause and duration, the percentage of loss of working capacity, the need for care, rehabilitation aids and other relevant information.

Applicants who disagree with the result can submit an objection electronically. Decisions issued by district, city or interdistrict VTEK commissions can be appealed to a regional VTEK within 30 days.

Decisions by regional commissions can be appealed to the Republican VTEK within five days.

Objections can be submitted through my.gov.uz, a social worker, a family doctor or an operator at an Inson social services centre.

The decision of the Republican VTEK is final. Applicants who disagree with it may appeal to a court in accordance with the law.

The agency clarified that VTEK does not reconsider applications submitted through other channels.