Uzbekistan celebrated the "Republic of Uzbekistan Health Care Workers Day" on Sunday.

Reforms in the health care system, including the establishment of centers for emergency medical assistance and national specialized centers, are one of Uzbekistan's key priorities under President Islam Karimov.

Prior to independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the country had only two pharmaceutical companies. Today, that number is 138 companies, 17 of which export their products.

There are also more than 72,000 doctors and more than 310,000 health care workers in Uzbekistan.

The program to reform the nation's health care system is focused on improving the quality and efficiency public services, improving maternal and child health care, strengthening the material-technical base of medical institutions, and the introduction of advanced technologies and methods for the prevention and treatment of diseases.