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Uzbekistan said it's preparing a national roadmap and long-term strategy for the development of nuclear medicine, as authorities move to modernise oncology diagnostics and expand access to advanced treatment technologies, the Atomic Energy Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers (Uzatom) said.
The announcement follows talks with Russia's Rosatom division of Atomic Energy Corporation.
The initiative was discussed during a working meeting led by Uzatom Director Azim Akhmedkhadjaev with representatives of Rosatom, where both sides explored cooperation in building modern nuclear medicine infrastructure, including cyclotron complexes, radiopharmaceutical production and PET/CT diagnostic centres.
Officials said the future roadmap will define priorities for technology transfer, specialist training and the gradual development of the sector across the country.
Uzatom noted that the strategy will serve as a framework for introducing advanced medical technologies aimed at improving early cancer detection and treatment outcomes. The planned Nuclear Medicine Centre in Tashkent is expected to become a key hub for diagnostics, allowing doctors to identify oncological diseases at earlier stages through high-precision imaging and targeted therapies.
The project, launched in October 2025, is designed to screen up to 8,000 patients annually once fully operational.
Authorities say the initiative forms part of broader efforts to modernise healthcare services and reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases.
In 2026, the centre is scheduled to receive a range of specialised equipment, including positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) systems, a cyclotron for producing medical isotopes and a radiopharmaceutical laboratory. Plans also include the installation of high-precision treatment technologies such as the Gamma Knife and CyberKnife, which are used for minimally invasive radiosurgery.
According to officials, cooperation with Rosatom will also focus on building local expertise.
The roadmap is expected to outline training programmes for medical specialists, engineers and radiopharmacists, alongside the development of regulatory standards aligned with international practice.
Experts note that nuclear medicine plays a growing role in modern healthcare, combining imaging technologies with targeted treatment methods that reduce recovery times and improve survival rates. Expanding such capabilities in Uzbekistan could lower the need for patients to seek specialised diagnostics abroad while supporting the country’s ambition to become a regional medical services hub.
Authorities have not yet disclosed a timeline for finalising the strategy, but further consultations with international partners are expected as the country continues to build capacity in advanced medical technologies.
International experience shows that investment in nuclear medicine has become a key priority for many healthcare systems seeking earlier diagnosis and more effective treatment of cancer and chronic diseases. Countries such as the United States, France, Japan and South Korea have developed extensive networks of PET/CT centres and radiopharmaceutical production facilities, integrating nuclear technologies into routine medical care.
In recent years, emerging markets including the United Arab Emirates have also expanded nuclear medicine infrastructure through international partnerships and technology transfer.
Experts note that these projects not only improve survival rates through early detection but also reduce long-term healthcare costs by enabling more precise and personalised treatment.
Europe heads into the Munich Security Conference, on Friday (13 February), amid deepening unease over U.S. policy, as President Donald Trump’s hard-line stance on defence, trade and territory fuels doubts about Washington’s long-term commitment to transatlantic security.
Türkiye and Greece signalled renewed political will to ease long-standing tensions during high-level talks in Ankara on Wednesday (11 February). Maritime borders, migration and trade topped the agenda as both leaders struck a cautiously optimistic tone.
Stalled U.S.–Iran talks and mounting regional tensions are exposing a growing strategic rift between Washington and Tel Aviv over how to confront Tehran, political analyst James M. Dorsey says, exposing stark differences in approach at a critical moment.
“Respected and feared globally,” U.S. President Donald Trump told troops at Fort Bragg on Friday, framing America’s renewed strength as a backdrop to mounting pressure on Iran amid stalled nuclear talks.
Dubai-based global ports operator DP World said on Friday that its long-serving chairman and chief executive, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, has stepped down following mounting pressure linked to alleged ties to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
A powerful sandstorm sweeping across Gaza has further worsened living conditions for displaced Palestinians already struggling amid a deep humanitarian crisis.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev spoke about the emergence of a new world order at the Munich Security Conference. In response to a question by AnewZ's Orkhan Amashov, he discussed the creation of the Board of Peace, launched in Davos and its upcoming first summit in Washington.
Türkiye and Syria plan to establish a joint coordination system aimed at streamlining communication between the two countries and countering disinformation, a senior Turkish official said on Thursday.
Georgia’s Foreign Ministry has raised concerns over reports that the Kulevi oil terminal on the country’s Black Sea coast could be included in a future European Union sanctions package against Russia.
The United Nations Security Council has renewed the Monitoring Team's mandate for another year. The Team supports the 1988 Afghanistan Sanctions Committee, keeping in place restrictions that target individuals and entities linked to the Taliban.
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