On April 17, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev got acquainted with the presentation of proposals aimed at supporting the population, categories in need of social protection, increasing the coverage and quality of social services, as well as further improving the legislative framework in this area.
Photo: Presidential press service
In the presentation, the issue of fundamental improvement of the social service system for persons with disabilities who have mental disorders considered. As mentioned, the main goal in this regard is to ensure their full participation in the life of the society, to provide comprehensive services in close family environment, as well as to support families busy with care.
In particular, by June 1, 2026, the “Early intervention” service for children under 3 years of age with developmental disabilities will be gradually introduced. Through this service, correctional-pedagogical support, speech and physical development classes are provided to children with the participation of special pedagogues and therapeutic physical education instructors. The service is launched by non-governmental organizations on the basis of a special electronic register. Also, additional medical examination and surgical costs of children born with anatomical defects are covered by the State Medical Insurance Fund.
New social services will be gradually introduced during 2026 for people with group I and II disabilities with mental disorders. “New Day” day care service, home care service, small-scale “Madad” house service and “Social Vacation” short-term placement service will be launched. These services will focus on supporting families through supervision and care, building daily living skills, teaching household chores, and developing vocational and financial accounting skills.
These new services are provided on the basis of public-private partnerships and by non-governmental organizations that meet the necessary requirements. Through this, in 2026, it is planned to cover 8,300 people with mental disorders with new services, to involve up to 600 non-governmental organizations and individual entrepreneurs in providing social services. Costs related to the use of new services will be covered in the form of subsidies from the State Fund of Social Protection.
At the same time, from September 1, 2026, a new monthly care allowance will be introduced for legal representatives who are engaged in the care of persons over the age of 18 diagnosed with profound mental retardation.
The powers of “Insan” social service centers will also be expanded. From June 1, 2026, their employees will be included in the guardianship and patronage commissions under district and city governments. Also, the fulfillment of obligations by guardians and sponsors assigned to persons with mental disorders, the protection of the rights and legal interests of these persons, property, harassment and violence against them is regularly monitored.
Special attention was also paid to the transformation of boarding schools. According to the proposals, “Muruvat” boarding houses will gradually be transformed into “Gamxorlik” centers. Now these institutions operate mainly as centers that work on the basis of a social approach rather than a medical-social one, aimed at adapting a person to society. It is planned to involve residents in sports, creative, ergotherapy, work and socio-spiritual therapy, to form life skills through the service of independent living under the supervision of a “coach”, and to establish small-sized houses close to the family environment.
The presentation also discussed new initiatives developed in connection with the further improvement of legislation in the field of social protection. In particular, it is envisaged to strengthen the responsibility for discrimination of a person based on the sign of disability, to present court decisions in an acceptable form for persons with disabilities, to address social services and guarantees on the basis of a single Social Register.
