The first program of the Ishonch Trust Fund, established under a restitution agreement between Uzbekistan and Switzerland, has been successfully completed. The project aimed at developing perinatal care received $43.5 million in funding.

The fund was created to transparently use assets returned from Gulnara Karimova for the benefit of the population. The project 'Every Mother and Every Child Live and Develop: Reducing Maternal and Infant Mortality in Perinatal Centers of Uzbekistan' started in September 2023 and was implemented jointly with UNICEF, UNFPA, and WHO.

Under the program, 231 perinatal facilities across the country were equipped with modern medical equipment. Over $31 million was spent on incubators, ventilators, anesthesia equipment, and other advanced technology.

More than 80,000 medical workers received advanced training in modern perinatal care, management of complicated pregnancies, care for premature infants, and laboratory diagnostics. 49 clinical protocols were developed or updated.

Information campaigns on the importance of regular medical check-ups during pregnancy reached nearly 20 million people, and about 4 million residents gained broader access to quality maternal and perinatal care services.

Monitoring shows that the share of preventable maternal mortality decreased from 77.3% in 2022 to 62.8%, a drop of 14.5 percentage points. Survival rates for newborns with very low birth weight improved by nearly 13% since the program began.

UNICEF Representative in Uzbekistan Regina Castillo noted that the program was the result of effective cooperation between the government of Uzbekistan, the government of Switzerland, civil society institutions, and UN agencies.

Swiss Ambassador to Uzbekistan Constantin Obolensky emphasized that returning illegally acquired assets and using them transparently is a priority for Switzerland, and the Ishonch Fund demonstrates how returned funds can be effectively used to improve the quality of life.

Source: uznews.uz