Project
Reducing Maternal and Newborn Deaths
This project equipped perinatal centres, trained healthcare professionals and improved clinical standards to help reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths across Uzbekistan.
Financing was provided by the Ishonch Fund, which returns stolen assets to the people of Uzbekistan through UN-led programmes that improve health and education.
| Approved budget | US$43.5 million |
|---|---|
| Implementation period | 20 September 2023–30 April 2026 |
| Status | Completed |
| Coverage | Nationwide, Uzbekistan |
| Lead implementing organisation | UNICEF |
| Implementing organisations | UNFPA and WHO |
| National partner | Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan |
What the funding supported
This project financed:
- Medical equipment, supplies and commodities received US$30.98 million—76% of direct programme costs—to help perinatal centres manage childbirth emergencies and provide life-saving care to newborns.
- Training for healthcare professionals to strengthen clinical skills and communication with patients.
- Better standards and oversight, including clinical guidance, supervision and reviews of maternal and newborn care.
- Public information and accountability measures to help families access services, understand their rights and seek quality care.
Project results
More than 4 million women and newborns benefited from improved services. Monitoring data showed the proportion of maternal deaths assessed as preventable fell from 77.3% in 2022 to 62.8% in 2026—a reduction of 14.5 percentage points.
All 231 perinatal centres nationwide received life-saving obstetric and newborn care equipment across 23 categories. Maintenance arrangements, eight authorised service centres and registration in the national JixozMed asset-management platform support continued use.
86,910 healthcare providers strengthened their skills through training, practical exercises, mentoring and supervision. Training covered clinical care and communication with patients, with updated standards incorporated into healthcare education.
The project supported 49 national clinical protocols and 21 clinical guidelines and training resources, adopted and integrated into clinical practice and healthcare education. Digital monitoring, clinical audits and supportive supervision strengthened quality assurance.
Healthcare workers strengthened their communication skills to help families access maternal and newborn services. Digital reporting, reviews of perinatal deaths and severe maternal complications, and equipment tracking strengthened transparency and accountability within the health system.
Who delivered this project
Led and coordinated the project, procured newborn care equipment and trained healthcare professionals in caring for newborns. Also supported reviews of perinatal deaths and public information activities to help families seek timely care.
Procured equipment for maternal and obstetric care and trained healthcare professionals in pregnancy care, family planning and childbirth emergencies. Also strengthened reviews of severe maternal complications to identify improvements in care.
Supported clinical standards, healthcare training and improvements in laboratory quality. Assessed the quality of care and corruption risks in the health sector to inform measures that strengthen patient safety, transparency and accountability.
Coordinated implementation within the national health system, supported facility preparations and approved clinical guidance. Oversaw monitoring and helped integrate improved practices into routine services and healthcare training so that benefits could continue beyond the project.
Key Documents
Explore the project’s plans, reported results and financial information: