Li emphasized that mental disorders represent a significant economic burden for society.
“People with mental disorders are often unable to work due to prolonged and temporary disability, which leads to losses amounting to 0.4% of our country's gross domestic product (GDP),” noted the specialist.
Janybek Ajibekov, acting director of the Republican Center for Psychiatry and Narcology, added that the cost of inpatient treatment for one patient is about 50,000 soms. To improve the situation, the creation of multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) at the primary level is planned, which will include family doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, and community nurses.
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Multidisciplinary teams receive incentive payments of 12,000 soms for managing one patient over the course of a year, with payments distributed among all team members, although doctors receive more than nurses.
The initial results of the project implementation are already encouraging.
“In regions where MDTs operate effectively, there is a decrease in the number of hospitalizations. This indicates the quality of work and treatment, which, in turn, allows for savings in budget funds for inpatient services. Currently, MDTs are functioning in 17 locations across the country, and in the future, they are planned to be established in all family medicine centers. However, due to a shortage of specialists, the process is progressing slowly. It is expected that starting in April, doctors will receive a salary increase, which will help address the staffing shortage issue,” added representatives of the Ministry of Health.
