Uzbekistan has successfully completed a large-scale project titled “Every Mother and Child Lives and Thrives: Reducing Maternal and Child Mortality in Perinatal Centers of Uzbekistan.” The initiative, launched in September 2023, concluded with a final event on June 25, where results were presented.
The maternal and perinatal care program was established under a restitution agreement between the governments of Uzbekistan and the Swiss Confederation. The final meeting was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Swiss Embassy, as well as UN agencies and international partner organizations.
The project was the first initiative financed by the Ishonch Trust Fund. It was implemented in partnership with UNICEF, UNFPA, and the World Health Organization. The total allocated funds amounted to $43.5 million. These funds were directed toward developing the maternal and child health system, improving the quality of perinatal services, and strengthening the material and technical base of medical institutions.
Under the program, 231 perinatal facilities across the country received modern medical equipment. Over $31 million was spent on purchasing incubators, ventilators, anesthesia systems, and other equipment for regional centers. Additionally, more than 80,000 healthcare workers received advanced training in modern perinatal care, management of complicated pregnancies, care for premature infants, and laboratory diagnostics. Specialists developed or updated 49 clinical protocols for maternal and newborn care. Information campaigns on the importance of regular pregnancy monitoring reached about 20 million citizens, expanding access to quality services for nearly 4 million people.
According to monitoring data, the share of preventable maternal mortality decreased from 77.3% in 2022 to 62.8%, a drop of 14.5 percentage points. The survival rate of newborns, especially those with extremely low birth weight, improved by nearly 13% since the program’s start. The project also implemented measures to strengthen laboratory capacity, introduce anti-corruption mechanisms, and achieve full medical coverage for pregnant women.
UNICEF Representative in Uzbekistan Regina Castillo called the program an example of effective cooperation between the government, Switzerland, civil society, and the UN. Swiss Ambassador Konstantin Obolensky emphasized that the return of illegally acquired assets and their transparent use based on accountability principles is a priority for his country. He added that the Ishonch Fund serves as a vivid example of how returned funds work to improve the quality of life. Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance Otabek Fazilkarimov noted the important role of returned assets in developing human capital and supporting social reforms.
The Ishonch Fund distributes returned assets in the interests of the people of Uzbekistan based on principles of transparency and efficiency. The fund is jointly managed by representatives of Uzbekistan, Switzerland, the UN, and civil society. In the future, these funds are planned to continue financing new projects in healthcare and education to achieve the country’s sustainable development goals.
Source: podrobno.uz