ADB Approves $100M Loan to Enhance Perinatal Health Services in Uzbekistan

Additionally, neonatal mortality in Uzbekistan, which had previously improved, has seen an increase in recent years amid rising birth rates.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $100 million concessional loan to assist the Government of Uzbekistan in improving perinatal health services for pregnant women and their newborns.

"ADB supports the government's commitment to ensure high-quality perinatal health services in Uzbekistan to protect the health of women and children and reduce maternal and neonatal mortality in the country," said ADB Director General for Central and West Asia Yevgeniy Zhukov.

While maternal mortality in Uzbekistan has improved from 38 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2010 to 30 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020, it remains high compared to the average for Europe and Central Asia. Additionally, neonatal mortality in Uzbekistan, which had previously improved, has seen an increase in recent years amid rising birth rates.

The Integrated Perinatal Care Project will help the government upgrade approximately 230 perinatal centers throughout the country with modern, energy-efficient medical equipment, updated clinical standards and protocols, improved health staff capacity, and quality assurance mechanisms.

The project will also enhance the perinatal referral system and expand access to appropriate and timely life-saving care by strengthening emergency response teams and introducing electronic patient records to identify health risks early and monitor pregnancies.

"ADB's support will also help the government implement targeted awareness-raising and behavior-change interventions, as well as the training of midwives and nurses to encourage pregnant women and mothers to seek healthcare services," said ADB Country Director for Uzbekistan Kanokpan Lao-Araya.

Uzbekistan joined ADB in 1995, and the bank has since committed loans, grants, and technical assistance amounting to $12.5 billion to the country.