The 15th Anniversary Tashkent International Healthcare Exhibition "TIHE-2010" opened doors to its participants and visitors on 14 April in Uzexpocentre, Tashkent. Initially a single project, today it has grown into four exhibitions, which go under the general name "Healthcare Week in Uzbekistan – TIHE".

TIHE-2010 combines four specialized exhibitions: TIHE, the 15th Anniversary Tashkent International Healthcare Exhibition; Stomatology Uzbekistan, the 6th Uzbekistan International Stomatology Exhibition; Apteka Expo, the 5th Anniversary Central Asian International Pharmaceutical Exhibition; and Beauty & Aesthetic Med, the 4th Uzbekistan International Beauty & Aesthetic Medicine Exhibition.

As reported earlier, the organizers of the main medical exhibition in Uzbekistan are ITE Uzbekistan, a member of UFI, and its partner I.T.E. Exhibitions & Conferences Ltd (UK). Official support has been provided by the Ministry of Public Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Uztibtechnika, Uzbekistan Dental Association, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

For 15 years, TIHE has played a special role in the development healthcare in Uzbekistan. For the exhibition, this is an important anniversary. In ITE Uzbekistan’s calendar of events, TIHE has a special place, as it was ITE’s first exhibition in Uzbekistan. The success of the first exhibition showed the need for platforms for business and professional meetings between manufacturers of medical equipment, consumables and medicines, and practicing specialists.

Every year, the exhibition expands, and its authority as the country’s main medical exhibition is recognized at the international level. In 2009, "Healthcare Week in Uzbekistan – TIHE" gained "UFI Approved Event" status from the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, which recognizes the contribution of the exhibition to the development of medicine in the country.

This year, 145 companies from 25 countries are taking part in the event. Among the participating countries are: Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Britain, Germany, Hungary, India, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, China, Netherlands, UAE, Pakistan, Poland, Russia, Singapore, USA, Turkey, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Czech Republic, Switzerland, South Korea and Japan.

56% of the exhibitors at TIHE regularly take part in the exhibition; the remaining 44% are newcomers. Of the total number of exhibitors, 34% are domestic companies; Europe accounts for 12% and Russia 16% of all exhibitors at TIHE.

The current state of healthcare in the Republic of Uzbekistan is determined by an ongoing process of modernising medical facilities and reforming the healthcare system. The essence of the reforms in the healthcare sector is to create a modern healthcare system that meets international standards, ensuring the preservation and improvement of public health.

The goals and objectives of the reforms significantly increase the demand for high-quality equipment, supplies and drugs. This aspect is one of the priorities in the preparation of the exhibition.

TIHE is one of a series of specialized medical exhibitions organized by ITE in the CIS and Eastern Europe, such as BIHE (Baku, Azerbaijan), Hospital and Pharmacy St. Petersburg (Russia), Pharmtech (Moscow, Russia) Stomatology St. Petersburg (Russia), Public Health Ukraine, KIHE (Almaty, Kazakhstan), and others.

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