Since gaining independence, Uzbekistan has prioritized the health of mothers and children through various reforms and government programs. These initiatives aim to enhance reproductive health and provide comprehensive care for mothers, children, and adolescents. As a result, significant improvements have been achieved in maternal and child health across the country.
From 2017 to 2023, Uzbekistan saw a notable reduction in both maternal and infant mortality rates, with maternal mortality decreasing by 1.5 times and infant mortality by 1.3 times. These outcomes reflect the successful implementation of various measures and improvements in obstetric and gynecological services.
Key steps taken include the establishment of “Women’s Consultation” units, “Girls’ Health Centres,” and “Onco-Control” rooms in 209 district and urban outpatient clinics. These facilities ensure seamless coordination between outpatient clinics, inpatient facilities, maternity hospitals, dispensaries, and specialized centres. Additionally, paediatric gynaecology units have been set up in 13 regional children’s medical centres and the Tashkent Paediatric Medical Institute.
An average of 20,000 girls out of 6.5 million surveyed annually are diagnosed with reproductive system issues and receive appropriate treatment. A comprehensive electronic database of women of fertile age and pregnant women has been established in each “Women’s Consultation” department. Emergency gynaecology departments have also been set up in 13 regional branches of the Republican Scientific Centre for Emergency Medical Care (RSCEMC).
Uzbekistan has introduced assisted reproductive technologies (IVF) in the private health sector and launched projects with international organizations to pilot cervical cancer screening models. There are now 15 stationary and 16 mobile mammography screening offices in the country, with mammographic screening beginning in May 2021. Between 2021 and 2023, over 140,000 women were screened, leading to the detection of 327 new breast cancer cases and thousands of benign masses and precancerous lesions.
The government has also focused on improving child health, providing free medicines, medical devices, and special food products for children with rare and hereditary diseases. District medical associations now have children’s anesthesiology and resuscitation departments and 24-hour paediatric emergency posts. Additionally, 8,500 paediatric nurses and midwives have been added to more than 17,500 medical teams, ensuring that children, pregnant women, and women of childbearing age receive necessary vitamins and supplements.
In 2023, 8 million children aged 3 to 15, 2.2 million pregnant and lactating women, and 5.9 million women of childbearing age were provided with iodine, iron, and folic acid supplements free of charge. The nationwide movement promoting proper nutrition, healthy lifestyles, and physical activity, announced by the President at the end of 2022, has seen the implementation of the “Healthy Nation” and “Healthy Family Planning” programs. These programs focus on preventing unwanted pregnancies, promoting breastfeeding, and early diagnosis of pregnancy pathologies.
A significant document, aimed at improving medical care in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, was adopted following an open dialogue between the President and health sector representatives. The document outlines measures to improve medical services, strengthen the region’s medical institutions, and protect the health of the population, particularly children and women. In 2023, over 59,000 children aged 6-23 months and nearly 47,000 children aged 3-15 years, along with over 68,000 pregnant women and nursing mothers, received micronutrient and iodine preparations.
Preventive and in-depth medical examinations of children aged 1-18 years are regularly conducted, with a total of 664,710 children examined in 2023. Of these, 228,239 received treatment in outpatient and inpatient settings. Cancer prevention among women, particularly cervical cancer, is a key focus, with cervical cancer being the second most common cancer among women in Uzbekistan. In 2021, 1,827 new cases were detected, and this number is projected to rise.
To combat cervical cancer, Uzbekistan has implemented screening programs for early diagnosis and treatment. A pilot project in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and UNDP, screened nearly 50,000 women free of charge. Early detection saved many lives, as cervical cancer caused by HPV can be treated successfully if detected early. The project trained healthcare professionals and distributed educational materials on cervical cancer prevention.
In 2021, equipment and test systems for HPV detection were provided, enabling extensive screening and treatment. This initiative has significantly improved the reproductive health of women in the Aral Sea region. During 2023, 1,454 cases of cervical cancer were detected nationwide, with 564 cases identified through preventive screening. Similarly, 178,948 women were screened for breast cancer, leading to the diagnosis of 194 cases.
The State Strategy of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2030 emphasizes expanding medical care for women of reproductive age by detecting precancerous lesions early and improving treatment outcomes. The Ministry of Health has developed a draft national strategy, “Population Health – 2030,” which focuses on reducing maternal and infant mortality, ensuring proper nutrition for children, and creating appropriate conditions for their growth and development.
The inclusion of maternal and child health issues in strategic documents underscores the state’s commitment to improving reproductive health and women’s healthcare in Uzbekistan. By continuing these efforts, Uzbekistan aims to achieve better health outcomes for its population and address the specific health needs of women and children in the Aral Sea region.
