In the photo: Kyrgyz nurse Zamira Omorova cares for newborns in a maternity hospital in Kara-Balta (Chui region) in June.
The state program "Den-Sooluk" considers work in this direction as a priority. Kyrgyzstan, which has been consistently working to reduce infant mortality, is also seeking ways to lower maternal mortality rates, and progress in this area is beginning to pay off in terms of attracting international aid to finance such efforts.
In Kyrgyzstan, there has been a decrease in maternal and infant mortality over the past three years, but the overall level remains high.
In 2013, the maternal mortality rate during pregnancy and childbirth was 75 per 100,000 live births, according to the World Bank. In 2010, this figure was 79 per 100,000.
The "Den-Sooluk" (Health) program for 2012-2016 includes four areas, for which expected outcomes have been defined; maternal and infant health is one of these four. Additionally, Kyrgyzstan, a UN member since 1992, sets goals for improving public health in accordance with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The goals include reducing extreme poverty, decreasing child mortality, combating epidemic diseases such as AIDS, and expanding global cooperation for development.
"In the structure of maternal mortality, up to 30% of deaths occur due to postpartum hemorrhages," said Ministry of Health specialist Aigul Boobekova. "Worldwide, bleeding is one of the common causes of death among mothers."
As reported by "Central Asia Online" in January, medical professionals note significant progress in reducing infant mortality. The infant mortality rate per 1,000 live births in 2010 was 22.8%; in 2013 it was 19.9%, with a target value of 8.5% for 2015, according to the Department of Statistics.
"Kyrgyzstan is among 15 countries out of 75 with a high disease burden, but which are on track to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 in reducing child mortality," Boobekova said.
International Aid
At the end of July, the government of Japan transferred $2.5 million (130.7 million soms) to support the Ministry of Health of Kyrgyzstan in protecting maternal and child health.
"The main goal of the project is to provide basic medical equipment and improve the quality of medical services, with special attention to resuscitation and emergency medical care for women and children," said Minister of Health Dinara Saginbaeva during the signing of the grant agreement on July 31.
"The funds will be directed to Naryn, Issyk-Kul, Osh, and Batken regions, including the National Center for Maternal and Child Health in the capital," reported the head of the Ministry of Health's press service, Anarbek Alimakhunov.
The funds will allow for improvements in basic medical equipment in 34 regional hospitals and enhance water supply and heating systems in 10 healthcare organizations.
Hospitals in the Regions
Special attention to the regions is understandable: rural hospitals are less equipped, and mortality rates in the regions are higher than in the capital. According to the National Statistics Committee, the highest maternal and infant mortality rates are recorded in Osh, Jalal-Abad, and Chui regions.
"The child mortality rate in rural areas is twice that of children in cities," Boobekova said. "The main causes of infant mortality under one year are conditions arising in the perinatal period - 63.8%, congenital anomalies - 15.0%, respiratory diseases - 12.8%.
The "Den-Sooluk" program notes that most cases of infant mortality occur within 24 hours after birth, meaning that the child is under medical supervision. Therefore, attention must be paid to improving the quality of medical services.
The grant project also focuses on "establishing contacts with the population and raising their awareness about timely seeking help in case of symptoms of common childhood diseases and complications during pregnancy."
Aysyl Osmonalieva,
"CA online",