Adolescents - the future of Uzbekistan

In Uzbekistan, adolescents (10 – 19-year-olds) currently make up about 16 per cent of the population (as of 2019). Investments in their health can bring a triple dividend of benefits— for adolescents now, for their future adult lives, and for the next generation. This makes adolescent health and well-being an engine of change in the drive to create healthier, more sustainable societies. In recognition of this fact, and current priorities within health sector reform, UNICEF has supported the Ministry of Health to develop an adolescent health and well-being strategic plan for Uzbekistan.

Recent research by UNICEF shows that adolescents in Uzbekistan enjoy a degree of good health. However, they worry about certain well-being issues, such as mental health, injury, violence, sexual and reproductive health conditions, and communicable diseases including HIV. Adolescents also indicated concerns about respiratory infections related to pollution, malnutrition and other issues such as overweight, underweight, lack of physical activity, tobacco and alcohol abuse.

To validate the results of the research, and to start the process of prioritising and programming, UNICEF organised a three-day online workshop with national partner organisations and UN agencies.  Representatives of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Public Education, Ministry of Makhalla and Family Affairs, UNFPA, WHO and UNICEF all participated in the workshop. Leaders from the Youth Union of Uzbekistan also took part to ensure that the voices of adolescents and young people were heard and counted during the programming process.

“Participation in the workshop gave me the opportunity to speak out about adolescents’ issues. I am happy that I was heard,” said Sarvinoz Rakhmanova, a Tashkent Medical Academy student. “Participating in these discussions between experienced professionals and young researchers counts as one of the great experiences of my life,” she added.

Participants agreed that investment in the health and well-being of adolescents should remain on the government agenda despite the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in Uzbekistan.

Jamshidbek Ashurov, a researcher from the Youth Union of Uzbekistan said, “It is obvious that adolescents are the future of our country, so investing in adolescents’ health, in their personal and professional lives, is one of the most important investments we can make in our country's future. In my opinion, implementing the priority interventions suggested during the workshop will bring good results.”  

Participants underlined the importance of developing and implementing the strategy on adolescent health and well-being, to which the workshop contributed valuable information.

“Adolescent health is one of our Government’s strategic priorities. We have to use a multi-sectoral approach to promoting adolescent health and well-being and pay more attention to their needs across the board,” said Dr. Barno Abdusamatova, a Head of Department from the Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan.

The Global Accelerated Action for the Health of Adolescents (AA-HA!) will provide guidance on planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating the adolescent health and well-being strategic plan. After giving their approval, the Cabinet of Ministers will then lead national and international agencies to carry it forward, to strengthen both current and future generations.