The Uzbek president has dismissed his health minister, Shavkat Karimov, one of his longest-serving ministers in the cabinet.

Uzbek television said Mr Karimov's removal was connected with his transfer to another post but gave no details.

Mr Karimov's first deputy and the head of Tashkent's city health department were also sacked.

Correspondents say there's been rising public criticism about the state of the country's health system.

President Islam Karimov has sacked a number of ministers and regional governors in a drive against corruption.