A Practical Guide to the Way of Life in Uzbekistan

Life in Uzbekistan

Healthcare in Uzbekistan

The quality of public healthcare in Uzbekistan has been gradually declining, due to a severe shortage of both doctors, many of whom have emigrated to other countries, and medical facilities. Even the most basic medical supplies like disposable hypodermics, anesthetics, and antibiotics are often in short supply.

While the government is taking steps to improve the situation, the best course of action for expats seeking medical treatment is to go to a private hospital such as the Tashkent International Medical Clinic. Decent private clinics are few and far between outside of the capital, though.

It is also common for expats living in Uzbekistan to travel to other countries to undergo more complex medical procedures. With this in mind, expatriates should ensure that their health insurance policy covers medical evacuation. On the subject of health insurance, make sure that your existing policy comprehensively covers Uzbekistan.

Education in Uzbekistan

Expats who are moving to Uzbekistan with children should be aware that there are only two international schools in the entire country, both of which are located in the capital, Tashkent. These are the Tashkent International School, a K-12 international curriculum school, and the British School, which was founded in 2010. Here, children of all nationalities are given a wide range of opportunities via the English National Curriculum. The school also complies with the requirements of the Uzbek board of education.

At the tertiary education level, the highest rated institutions in the country are the Tashkent Financial Institute and Westminster International University in Tashkent, established in 2002 in collaboration with the University of Westminster in the UK. Both of these universities are highly regarded both domestically and in the wider sphere of the Central Asian region.

If you are staying in Uzbekistan for an extended period of time, it is highly advisable to enroll your child in a Russian language course, as this will make settling in a lot easier.

Transportation in Uzbekistan

If you are arriving in Uzbekistan by air, you will likely land at Tashkent International Airport. Other regions such as Samarkand, Bukhara and Urgench are served by a few flights from Russia. If you plan on booking a domestic flight, you will have to do this at the airport in most cities.

Aside from a few exceptions, Uzbekistan’s road network is fairly reasonable, with traffic driving on the right. While it is possible to hire a car and drive on your own, it is more advisable to hire a car with a driver, especially for longer journeys. The speed limit within towns and cities is 50 km/h, while on intercity roads it is 100 km/h. Uzbekistan is connected by road to all surrounding countries, although the border with Afghanistan can only be crossed by citizens of the two countries.

When it comes to public transport, Tashkent is one of two cities in Central Asia to have an underground service. The capital has two railway stations, north and south. The main population centers of Bukhara, the Ferghana Valley and Nukus, Samarkand and Termez are all well-served by trains.

Tashkent has regularly scheduled bus, tram and trolley services. Buses also provide connections with all the cities and major towns in Uzbekistan. Buses are cheap and on the whole, fairly reliable.