Ishonch Fund Allocates US$43.5 Million to Modernize Maternal Care

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The "Ishonch" Fund announced the completion of its first large-scale program, implemented within the framework of a restitution agreement between the governments of Uzbekistan and Switzerland. Investments amounting to US$43.5 million, directed toward the implementation of a joint program by UNICEF, UNFPA, and the World Health Organization on maternal and child health protection, made it possible to not only meet but exceed the set targets.

The program became the first project financed by the Ishonch Fund and one of the largest social projects in recent years within the healthcare sector of Uzbekistan. Its implementation was aimed at modernizing the perinatal care system, improving the qualifications of medical personnel, and introducing modern international standards for the provision of medical services.

During the project implementation period, more than 230 perinatal centers were modernized across the country, over 85,000 healthcare workers were trained, and national clinical standards and protocols were updated. Approximately 4 million people were covered by improved medical care, and nearly 20 million residents of the country received information on the importance of antenatal monitoring during pregnancy.

According to the UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan and member of the Ishonch Fund Management Committee, Sabina Mahl, the completion of the program demonstrates the effectiveness of the mechanism for returning illegally assets for the benefit of the population.

"By investing in healthcare infrastructure, equipment, and human capital, the program has strengthened the maternal and newborn health system and made a significant contribution to achieving national healthcare priorities," Mahl emphasized.

One of the key tracks of the project was the technical re-equipping of medical institutions. More than US$30 million was directed toward the procurement of modern equipment, including incubators for newborns, mechanical ventilation apparatuses, patient condition monitoring systems, and anesthesia equipment. Deliveries were carried out with the assistance of UNICEF and UNFPA.

In parallel, large-scale work was conducted to improve the qualifications of medical personnel. Training programs focused on preventing maternal and infant mortality, managing complicated pregnancies and premature births, improving laboratory diagnostics, and introducing modern methods of perinatal care. Within the framework of the project, 49 clinical protocols were developed and updated, and 25 medical institutions received the international status of "Baby-Friendly Hospital."

As noted by the Head of the UNICEF Office in Uzbekistan, Regina Castillo, more than 230 perinatal institutions in the country now provide medical care at a qualitatively new level.

"These centers reflect the commitment of the government of Uzbekistan, the government of Switzerland, the UN system organizations, and civil society to ensuring that every mother and every child has access to quality medical services," Castillo stated.

Preliminary monitoring results indicate a substantial improvement in maternal and child health indicators. Thus, the share of maternal mortality cases recognized as preventable decreased from 77.3% in 2022 to 62.8% following the implementation of the program. Concurrently, the survival rate of newborns, especially children with low birth weight, increased by approximately 13%.

The Minister of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Eldor Adilov, emphasized that the achieved results confirm the effectiveness of systemic reforms in the sector.

"If previously more than three-quarters of maternal mortality cases were considered preventable, today this indicator has decreased to a level of less than two-thirds. This indicates real progress in ensuring the safety of pregnancy and childbirth for women across the country," the minister noted.

The project also holds special significance from the perspective of international cooperation. The Ishonch Fund was established within the framework of an agreement between Uzbekistan and Switzerland for the transparent use of returned assets in the interests of the country's population. Its activities are carried out under the supervision of representatives from Uzbekistan, Switzerland, the United Nations, and civil society institutions.

The Ambassador of Switzerland to Uzbekistan, Konstantin Obolensky, emphasized that the program became a clear example of how returned assets can be directed toward solving socially significant tasks. According to him, the project made it possible to cover practically every family in the country and provide citizens with real benefits from the use of the returned funds.

Experts note that the successful implementation of the first program of the Ishonch Fund creates a basis for further investments in the social sphere. The experience gained can serve as a model for implementing new initiatives in the areas of healthcare, education, and human capital development.