This year in Turkmenistan, the government with the support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has made significant strides in improving maternal health. Around $700,000 of Government funds were invested in medical diagnostic equipment, emergency obstetric care instruments, medicines, and contraceptives. This investment has helped prevent more than 40 potential maternal deaths.
The equipment and medicines are used according to updated clinical protocols, which were developed with the support of UNFPA. This ensures that the care provided is up-to-date and effective.
In addition, over 130 health practitioners across all regions of Turkmenistan, including Ashgabat, received training to enhance their knowledge and counseling skills in family planning. This is particularly beneficial for women with chronic diseases, who can now access family planning services and contraceptives free of charge. This initiative, along with the standardized clinical practice, has contributed to maintaining a low level of maternal mortality in the country. For more information on global estimates of maternal mortality: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240068759
Furthermore, 756 obstetricians, which make up 95% of the workforce, will gain offline access to all clinical protocols, strategies, and the Ministry of Health orders via a mobile app developed with UNFPA’s support. This will ensure that they have the necessary information at their fingertips, even when they are not online. “Keeping low level maternal mortality low and decrease further takes even more efforts in cooperation with the Government” UNFPA RH Specialist Dr. Kemal Goshliyev says.
Lastly, on 21-22 August, maternal health specialists from Central Asia gathered in Almaty to share their experiences, best practices, and challenges at a technical meeting on maternal health. https://www.newscentralasia.net/2023/08/28/turkmen-specialists-share-expertise-on-maternal-health-at-unfpa-meeting-in-kazakhstan/This kind of collaboration and knowledge sharing is crucial for continuous improvement in this field.
For more information, please contact.
UNFPA Turkmenistan Reproductive Health Programme Specialist
Dr. Kemal Goshliyev at goshliyev@unfpa.org
