Mother and child health
Mother and child health
Women and children are still dying from causes that can be prevented with quality health care and strong health systems. That is why UNICEF continues keeping its commitment to maternal, newborn and under-five survival, as well as health and development between ages 0-5. UNICEF has worked to improve the quality of neonatal and maternal health to accelerate the reduction of newborn and stillbirth mortality.
Significant progress in child and maternal health has been achieved in Uzbekistan over the past decade. More children today live to celebrate their fifth birthday, while fewer women lose their lives during pregnancy and childbirth. Since 1990, Uzbekistan has reduced under-five mortality by more than 75%. Focus is increased on care around the time of birth for mothers and newborns, and a shift from vertical focus on disease- and intervention-specific programmes (immunizations, polio, pneumonia, diarrhea, malaria, tuberculosis) to a health system strengthening approach which means strengthening integrated, community-based health care within district health systems. Particular attention is paid to the health and development of children aged 0-5 years, existing maternal and child health systems are improved and equal access to services is ensured.
Under this programme area, UNICEF addresses the health of pregnant and lactating women, newborns (aged 0-28 days), and children aged 28 days to five years. Key strategic focus areas include health systems strengthening, development of multisectoral policies and strategies, and community engagement to achieve sustainable results.