IMPROVEMENT OF MOTHER AND CHILD HEALTH SERVICES IN TAJIKISTAN (PHASE II)

In close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, Healthy Life Style Center, local governments, women’s groups and other partners, Save the Children launched a Scaling up Community-Based Health Care Project to improve the health and nutrition of women and children under five in Qumsangir and Panj Districts of Khatlon Region.

In Phase I, the focus was on improving maternal and child health knowledge and practices through conducting health education, campaigns and distribution of Information, Education & Communication materials among women’s groups that was successfully completed in Vakhsh and Jilikul Districts.

In Phase II, the goal is to improve the health and nutrition status of women and children under 5 in two rural districts of Tajikistan through increasing access to quality maternal and child health services in rural areas; and improving the practice of key behaviours in maternal and child health and particulary newborns health. The project will teach mothers about antenatal care, safe birth planing, brestfeeding, better feeding and hygiene practices and prevention, home care and identification of danger signs of childhood illnesses.

The Deputy Head of Mother and Child Health Care Department of Khatlon Region Ms. Matluba Shonazarova welcomed all participants and thanked Save the Children for their contribution in improving mothers and children’s access to quality health care, reducing the maternal and child mortality, diarrhea and malnutrition in children and improving pregnant women’s aceess to atenatal care services. The Deputy wished all the success and continuation of the collaboration.

To ensure the opportunity for meaningful engagement, the participants were divided into groups to discuss how to improve the nutrition of women of childbearing age, pregnant women and children under five in remote areas.

The Korean Save the Children Fund took part in Scaling up Community-Based Health Care Project to improve the access to health care for women and children and is now in its first year of operation.