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Make every child count

SAMARKAND, Uzbekistan, 14 May 2010. – A newborn son of Fatima Kulmurodova – Islombek - is only 5 days old. He sleeps quietly in a small cot near his mom’s bed. Appearance of unexpected guests in the room seems not to disturb him.

It is a second child of a 25-year old teacher from Samarkand lyceum #1. Fatima’s first delivery occurred in the Taylak district maternity five years ago and left the feeling of fear and pain.

Fatima Kulmurodova with her newborn son Islombek and mother-in-law Rukhsora Normamadova.

This time all went differently. Fatima decided to go to Samarkand-based maternity #3. Her family relied on “the word of mouth” when making the choice and had no clue that the hospital was officially recognized as baby-friendly. It were workmates who told Fatima that it’s warm, the doctors and nurses were good and attentive. They also knew that family members would be admitted to delivery rooms.

Fatima’s expectations turned true. She and her little son feel well and are waiting now only for a birth certificate to come.

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Improving day care for children

JOMBOY, Samarkand region, 10 May 2010. – “It’s a challenging but fulfilling job. I’m always among people and keep in close touch with families. I feel important and useful as I’m helping their kids grow healthy,” says Muborak Tursunkulova, 38, patronage nurse from the "Tut" village medical point.

She is one of the primary health workers from Samarkand region, who went to five-day training on mother and child care last year. It was organized by the Samarkand Multi-Profile Medical Centre with UNICEF support.

The family of Sojida Jumanova is one of the families that patronage nurse Muborak Tursunkulova visits regularly. With two small children - Sevinch, 4, and Nazarbek, 18 months, Sojida is one of the mothers who is benefiting from accessible primary care..

Securing better health for kids

Few simple steps to saving children’s lives

Samarkand, Uzbekistan. - A 6 month old Lorchinbek has been brought to Samarkand multi-profile Children’s Centre in a critical condition, with complicated pneumonia. He was immediately sent to the Resuscitation Department. Lorchinbek is now under intensive care and is getting oxygen through a small nasal plug. His therapy also includes antibiotics that are used in moderate dozes so as not to have any adverse effects.

Zamira Hudoyberdieva with her little son Lorchinbek.

Zamira Hudoyberdieva is allowed to stay with her son. It is a new practice at this medical centre. Mothers’ presence and care help little patients to recover faster. Parents benefit too as they are consulted and can follow each step of the prescribed treatment.

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Child deaths in Samarkand hospitals drop rapidly through joint EC and UNICEF support

By Matthew Taylor

Better diagnoses and improved emergency care is saving young lives in Samarkand.

Improving care for mothers and newborns in Uzbekistan

By Guy Degen

FERGHANA, Uzbekistan, 4 May 2009 – Maftuna Yakubova beams with pride over her newborn baby boy in the maternity ward of the Perinatal Centre in Ferghana, eastern Uzbekistan.

Pilot project brings success to maternal and newborn care in Ferghana, Uzbekistan

By Matthew Taylor

FERGHANA REGION, Uzbekistan, 10 July 2008 - Guzalkhon Karabaeva is constantly smiling. Her newborn son is tranquil in her arms and so is the maternity ward in which we sit. No babies’ cries interrupt our chat - a clear testament to attentive childcare.

“I feel like I’m in a family environment,” she says. And she looks the part. In blue flowered slippers and soft blue pyjamas, she gently bounces her baby son. She is allowed to wear her own clothes here, and has her baby right by her side. However, the experiences were far different for her first two pregnancies.

Huge health improvement project sees four thousand medical professionals trained in life saving skills

TASHKENT 7 July 2009, officials from UNICEF, the EU and Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Health met today to mark a year’s progress for mothers and children. By December 2010, 14,000 health workers will be trained in improved maternal and child care. One year in, four thousand of these are already sharing their skills throughout the country.

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Quality maternal and child healthcare to reach remote Uzbek communities

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan – 12 May 2009.

In a sweeping set of nationwide healthcare reforms, Uzbek maternal and child health workers in 9 regions are receiving training in international standards to save more mothers and babies lives.

The joint Ministry of Health, European Commission and UNICEF project will see nearly 12,000 health workers trained in new techniques by the end of 2010. The emphasis is on ensuring child survival, safe motherhood and improving essential newborn care.

Quick Facts

Nearly 10,000 health workers to be trained across 8 regions
New training centers will be established in 5 regions; and,
Newborn & child survival packages will be introduced into medical institutes curricula of across Uzbekistan.

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