How oxygen is a lifeline for Uzbekistan's newborns

As she watched the baby's heart rate on the monitor, Qunduz, a neonatologist at the maternity hospital in Tashkent city, Uzbekistan, silently prayed. The newborn's condition was critical. She had severe pneumonia and could barely breathe. For a moment, Qunduz imagined announcing bad news – that the baby had died – to the parents.

Then she noticed the infant's breathing return to a normal pace.

Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, Uzbekistan's healthcare system has been working overtime to handle patients with respiratory illnesses – not just Covid-19, but viral infections like influenza, too. But it has faced a critical gap. Equipment like mechanical ventilation, CPAP, and anaesthesia units need a steady, dependent source of oxygen at specific pressure levels. Yet the availability of oxygen cylinders, particularly in larger healthcare facilities, fell short of meeting these demands. Medical facilities needed more oxygen supply stations, as well as additional staff training in respiratory emergencies.

Luckily, UNICEF has been able to help.

On the day that Qunduz thought she'd have to tell the newborn girl's parents the worst news imaginable, the hospital was busy. When the newborn was brought in, looking very sick and struggling to breathe, Qunduz knew it wasn't an ordinary case. Every second was crucial, and any delay could be life-threatening.

Thanks to specialized training and equipment provided by UNICEF, Qunduz knew what to do. She put the infant pulse oximeter on the child's finger and waited, holding on tightly to stop her hands trembling. The device beeped, showing dangerously low oxygen levels.

Qunduz brought the child into an isolation room with advanced respiratory support equipment. Drawing upon the UNICEF training she had received on administering supplemental oxygen, Qunduz adjusted the oxygen mask and ensured that the baby was getting a steady flow of vital air to her lungs. As the minutes passed, the child's breathing began to stabilize and return to a steady rhythm.

The newborn baby was among more than 1,000 infants suffering from respiratory illnesses, including pneumonia and respiratory distress syndrome, who have benefited from the essential medical equipment and oxygen therapy training made possible with UNICEF's support.

In 2023, through UNICEF's ACT-A Supplies Financing Facility, the Tashkent perinatal center received medical equipment including pressure swing adsorption plants for oxygen generation as well as oxygen therapy equipment like face masks, filters, flow meters, and pulse oximeters. Additionally, respiratory care essentials such as nasal prongs, humidifier bottles, and oxygen concentrators were provided, as there were medical instruments like laryngoscopes, resuscitators, and stethoscopes, along with various accessories and spare parts kits.

“UNICEF's support has been invaluable in enhancing our healthcare system's capacity to respond to the challenges posed by limited oxygen production and capacity,” says Usmanova Malika Shamsutdinovna , Deputy Director of the Tashkent branch of the Republican Specialized Scientific and Practical Medical Center for Maternal and Child Health.

“UNICEF's help with the provision of essential oxygen equipment and tailored training programs has enhanced the potential of frontline workers like Qunduz to deliver life-saving care to those in need. This partnership with UNICEF has truly been transformative.”

A few days later, the newborn baby’s health condition improved. And Qunduz's commitment to keep on delivering quality care, ensuring that every child had the best possible chance of a healthy future, was stronger than ever.