UNICEF in Action
UNICEF supports national stakeholders to develop and implement strategic activities to increase access to quality health care services and improved nutritional status for children under 2 years old nationwide. Its efforts are focused on Perinatal and Child Care, Pediatric AIDS and Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV, and Nutrition and Immunization.
INFANT AND MATERNAL MORTALITY
UNICEF is assisting the Ministry of Health in developing and implementing a National Perinatal Care Strategy specifically focusing on reducing the neonatal mortality which accounts for 60% of infant mortality. UNICEF advocates for the introduction of a Newborns Register, based on WHO rules. UNICEF also supports training in neonatal resuscitation and essential neonatal care. Its purpose is to equip health workers with basic knowledge and simple, yet essential techniques to save lives. Undergraduate and graduate medical students are taught in accordance with new curricula updated with technical assistance from UNICEF.
See a story on maternal and infant mortality on http://www.unicef.org/kyrgyzstan/media_11675.html
IMMUNIZATION
It is estimated that $1 spent on immunization saves the state $10 in treating vaccine preventable diseases. With support from UNICEF and other partners in the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), Kyrgyzstan has eliminated polio and through campaigns in 2000-2003 the country reduced the incidence of measles and rubella. UNICEF continues to provide support to the Government to ensure timely supply of vaccinations and ensures their quality.
See a story on immunization on http://www.unicef.org/kyrgyzstan/reallives_5920.html
HIV/AIDS
Following the outbreak of HIV AIDS in the southern part of the country in 2007 and the infection of more than 100 children, UNICEF was very active in training pediatricians, monitoring of care, and promoting the Integration of Pediatrics AIDS services into general medical services in order to ensure optimal health care to infected children. In addition, psychological and social counseling were provided to families and mothers in order to combat stigma and discrimination.
See a story on the work of people living with HIV http://www.unicef.org/kyrgyzstan/reallives_13511.html
PARASITIC INFECTIONS
Following a study carried out in 2007 in Batken region, on parasite infection prevalence among children aged 2 to 12 years, UNICEF together Swiss Red Cross, the Rostropovich-Vishnevskaya Foundation assisted the Ministry of Health in conducting of a survey and mass deworming campaign.
See a story on the deworming campaign http://www.unicef.org/kyrgyzstan/reallives_13803.html
