Over 10 years, infant and child mortality rates in Kyrgyzstan decreased by 40%

Bishkek, Nov. 20, 2018 / Kabar /. Over the past 10 years, the infant and child mortality rate in Kyrgyzstan has declined by more than 40%, Vice Prime Minister Altynai Omurbekova told today during the visit to the maternity ward of the National Center for Maternal and Child Welfare. Omurbekova took part in the launching of the national campaign “Birinchi Demden” (From the First Sigh), which aims to promote the rights of the child from the moment of birth.

“The economic and social stability of society, and therefore the future of the nation, depends on the younger generation. The survival rate of children is an indicator of the country's development, since this indicator reflects the functioning of not only the health system, but also other sectors in general, ”she said.

“Over the past 10 years, life expectancy in the country has increased by 3 years, reaching an average of 71 years. In addition, over the past 10 years, the infant and child mortality rate in the country has declined by more than 40%. At the same time, in 2015, the Kyrgyz Republic reached the Millennium Development Goal-4,” Omurbekova added.

As part of the Birinchi Demden campaign, 2,000 children born today on World Children's Day will receive gifts wrapped in blue ribbon, a symbol of the fact that all children are born in equal dignity and equal rights.

Omurbekova noted that in the modern world, taking care of the health of the mother and child is a priority task of any state.

The Vice Prime Minister stressed that the government’s family support and child protection program for 2018–2028 aims to strengthen and develop the family institution, enhance the social role of the family in society, and ensure the protection of the rights and interests of children.

“We will continue to work to strengthen the family institution, improve children's access to education and health services, and implement measures for their social and legal protection,” concluded Omurbekova.

World Children's Day is celebrated around the world since November 20, 1989, when the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.