In Kazakhstan, for years of independence, the infant mortality rate decreased by 3 times

Thanks to the use of modern diagnostic methods and identification of fetal pathologies at an early stage in Kazakhstan, for years of independence it was possible to reduce the infant mortality rate by 3 times, from 27.4 per 1000 live births in 1991 to 9.39 in 2015.

Every day more than 1,000 children are born in the republic, more than 400 thousand a year. The birth rate has increased by 3% over the past five years. As a result of measures taken to reduce infant mortality, premature babies with a birth weight of 500 grams or more have the right to life. For 5 years, the survival rate of children with a weight category of up to 1500 grams increased by 30% and amounted to about 60%.

Taking into account the introduction of live and stillbirth criteria recommended by the World Health Organization, the country began to improve and strengthen inpatient services, introduce simple, economical, affordable, evidence-based international technologies – effective perinatal care, integrated management of childhood illnesses.

Training centers for the introduction of effective perinatal care work in all regions of the country.

To ensure uniform approaches to perinatal care, more than 300 clinical protocols have been harmonized with international standards, medical workers have been trained, and working and educational programs have been changed in medical schools.

Genetic and ultrasound screening is performed for the timely detection of congenital malformations. Screening of hearing disorders in newborns was introduced at the level of maternity hospitals.

With the development of neonatal surgery, the number of operated newborns increased by 50% in 3 years, the mortality rate of newborns from surgical pathology decreased by 40% compared with 2010.

Successful radical surgeries are performed to correct congenital malformations of the cardiovascular system. Today in the scientific centers of Astana and Almaty, newborn operations are performed on the “open heart” and interventional, minimally invasive methods of correction of heart defects.

It is worth noting that the health of mother and child forms the basis for the future demographic, economic, labor, social, cultural and defense potential of the country. In this regard, the protection of motherhood and childhood is a priority direction of the healthcare system of our country.