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Everyone has the right to enjoy reproductive health, which is a basis for having healthy children, relationships and happy families. Reproductive health encompasses key areas of the UNFPA vision – that every child is wanted, every birth is safe, every young person is free of HIV and every girl and woman is treated with dignity and respect.

The critical importance of reproductive health to development has been acknowledged at the highest level. At the 2005 World Summit, world leaders added universal access to reproductive health as a target in Millennium Development Goals framework. UNFPA is fully committed to mobilizing support and scaling up efforts to make reproductive health for all a reality by 2015.

In Uzbekistan, the Government has identified reproductive and maternal health as a priority, and in July 2009 National Programme on Improving the System of for Reproductive and Maternal Care was launched, to address the need for strengthening health care system and increasing access of population to the services and information. According to national data, in less than 20 years of Uzbekistan’s independence, maternal mortality decreased significantly, while women’s life expectancy appears to have increased sharply, from 67 to 75 years. However, challenges remain in ensuring full access to and adequate quality of services, especially at the primary health care level.

UNFPA plays an important role in strengthening the capacity of the health care system of Uzbekistan, so that it is able to provide high quality services in the area of reproductive and maternal health. We support national efforts on medical personnel capacity building, provide essential equipment, ensure safe birth and maternity, and improve quality of emergency obstetric care services.

UNFPA supports national efforts in prevention, screening and treatment of some prevalent diseases, such as cancers of reproductive system (cervical and breast cancer). Support is also given in developing, upgrading and introducing clinical protocols and guidelines in the area of reproductive health that conform to modern standards and practices.

Our organization works to ensure population access to reliable information, consultancy and other services aimed at prevention of unwanted pregnancies. We provide substantial input into concerted efforts of UN agencies on supporting national programmes for prevention of HIV and STI.

Highlights from the programme

UNFPA brings forward modern contraceptives logistics and information management system (LMIS) in Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan, with population exceeding 29 million, is the most populous country in Central Asia. In early 90’s the country reported high birth and abortion rates, and this was partially explained by the fact that population lacked full access to modern contraceptive methods.

Starting from 1993, national programmes led by Ministry of Health have been promoting contraceptive use for birth spacing, decreasing high-risk deliveries and prevention of unwanted pregnancies. With government’s efforts and support of international partners, such as UNFPA, KFW Bank, and others all modern methods of contraceptives were made available in the country, and, according to latest survey data, the use of modern contraceptives has reached almost 60% predomination nationwide.