The state of usability of social protection services in Surkhandarya province was discussed

Surkhandarya Regional Division of the Centre for Analysis of Democratic Processes together with partner organisations held a round table on "The state of convenience and efficiency of use of social protection services in Surkhandarya". The event discussed the volume and quality of social services provided to the population in recent years.

Uzbekistan has been consistently improving its social protection system in recent years. On 1 June 2023, Presidential Decree No. PF-82 established the National Agency for the Social Protection of the Population. In addition, in 2024, social workers began working in Inson centres and districts throughout the country.

More than 100 types of social services and assistance are provided to the population. In particular, various support measures are taken for people with disabilities, low-income families, the elderly, and citizens unable to compete in the labour market. People with disabilities are provided with prosthetic and orthopaedic devices, wheelchairs and hearing aids.

Work is also under way to expand the scope of social services, introduce electronic document management, strengthen the material and technical base and improve the qualifications of social workers. In particular, 3,271 social services have been provided in Surkhandarya province, including 1,006 wheelchairs, 295 hearing aids, 1,549 crutches and other necessary equipment.

During the roundtable, opinions were exchanged on expanding the coverage of social services, eliminating difficulties in obtaining documents, expanding access to digital services, improving the material and technical base, and raising the qualifications of social workers. The issues of rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, increasing their employment and creating convenient infrastructure for them were also discussed.

Based on the results of the event, appropriate recommendations were made to eliminate existing problems in the sector.