UNICEF in Action
UNICEF has been among the key strategic partners for the Government in mother and child care since the mid-1990s. Supply Assistance for Maternity Hospitals – Supply assistance included a provision of basic neonatal care equipment (infant incubators, baby warmers and Doppler’s) to 30 regional and district level maternity hospitals. An advanced package of equipment (resuscitation, diagnostic and lab equipment) was additionally provided to three maternity hospitals in West and East Georgia. Capacity Building – Since 1999, UNICEF has supported in-service training, which has reached more than 1000 mother and child health care workers throughout Georgia (Tbilisi and 11 regions), and has provided management training in basic newborn diseases, infant resuscitation, and life-threatening obstetric complications. UNICEF launched a special hotline with nation-wide coverage, offering free counseling on mother and child health, nutrition, breastfeeding, immunization, rights of women and children regarding existing health and social benefits, and reproductive health. In 2003-2004, the Integrated MCH Hotline reached over 12,000 parents and families. The ‘Facts for Life’ Hand-book was translated and adapted by the National Experts Team. By 2004, 18 maternity hospitals, with 23 per cent of all maternity hospitals covering 32 per cent of child births countrywide, were accredited as ‘Baby-Friendly’ The Government launched an Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses strategy in 1999 through financial and technical support from UNICEF and WHO. Guidelines for in-service staff training and community education was translated and adapted to national context. The Ministry of Health approved the State Programme and assigned a team of 20 Master Trainers for nation-wide expansion of strategic implementation. Furthermore, pre-service curriculum was adapted in 2003 for inclusion into Medical University curricula. Following successful piloting in 2000-2001, the initiative was expanded to 32 districts out of 66, reaching 640 public health care providers and 160 community representatives. UNICEF has successfully advocated and leveraged partnerships and resources for further expansion of the Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses programme. ADRA International supported expansion of the initiative in South Ossetia, and GTZ facilitated training in East Georgia, while CARE and IMC supported 10 training sessions in Western Georgia districts. Government leadership in breastfeeding promotion and code implementation stems from the mid-1990s, with UNICEF acting as a lead advocate for policy and legislative development. Georgia adopted the Law on Protection and Promotion of Breastfeeding and Controlled Consumption of Infant Formula in 1999. In 1998-2003, more than 60 out of 80 maternity hospitals were trained under the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. Overall, more than 3,000 mother and child health care professionals were trained on breastfeeding.
Impact Official statistics, since 1999, have reported a slow yet steady decline in the infant mortality rate. A decreasing trend is also reported for the under-five mortality rate. However, reliability of statistics is a continuing concern. Policy development and strengthening of information management systems remain valuable achievements of the partnership.
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