Minister of Health Asilbek Khudoyorov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States to Uzbekistan Jonathan Hanick, UNODC Regional Representative for Afghanistan, Central Asia, Iran, and Pakistan Oliver Stolpe visited the Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Forensic Medical Expertise.

According to the Ministry, the guests became familiar with the conditions created in the institution, modern laboratories, and ongoing work. Issues related to implementing joint projects were discussed. It was noted that last year, with the assistance of the United States and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the center received a Shimadzu Corporation chromatography-mass spectrometric device valued at $121,000. This allowed the laboratory to expand its capabilities.

Issues related to introducing international best practices into the field, increasing human resources, digitizing the system, providing the center and its branches with advanced laboratory equipment, and supporting research were discussed at the meeting.

The parties agreed to cooperate in preventing illicit drug trafficking, enhancing crime control, and advancing forensic medical examination to a new stage. The parties exchanged views on improving forensic medical examination services in the field and on supporting new projects.

Mohigul Qosimova, UzA