Earlier this month, World Physiotherapy concluded a strategic visit to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, as part of a wider development mission across Central Asia to support rehabilitation capacity and the professionalisation of physiotherapy.
Building on collaboration with international partners including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the visit focused on deepening engagement with national stakeholders and assessing opportunities to support the establishment of Uzbekistan’s first entry-level Bachelor of Science degree in physiotherapy.
The visit followed a formal request from the Uzbek State University of Physical Culture and Sport, in accordance with the Uzbek National Agency for Social Protection, seeking technical assistance from World Physiotherapy to support the development of the physiotherapy profession in Uzbekistan.
In response, our development team began a comprehensive gap analysis of current physiotherapy education in the country. This informed meetings with academic leaders, faculty members, and international organisations, in which the team explored ways to strengthen educational and clinical training structures aligned with international standards.
The visit also examined the feasibility of a broader programme to support the development and professionalisation of physiotherapy in Uzbekistan, as the country looks to strengthen its rehabilitation workforce.
This engagement builds on World Physiotherapy’s experience supporting rehabilitation workforce development across Central Asia, including long-term work in neighbouring Tajikistan and recent activities in Kyrgyzstan.
Together, these efforts reflect the organisation’s ongoing commitment to improving access to high-quality rehabilitation services across the region.
