In March, Save the Children International launched a new Maternal and Child Health project in Varzob and Vahdat districts.

Press release issued by Save the Children International notes that within the framework of the project, Village health centers of Varzob and Vahdat districts will be equipped.

The main goal of the project is to reduce child and maternal mortality and morbidity in rural and remote areas of Tajikistan, targeting children under the age of five in particular, by improving the quality of Health services at the level of primary health care.

Further, in line with the project activities, trainings will be organized for medical personnel, rural activists, including women's groups and administrations.  In the course of trainings, participants will identify the main health problems in their villages and discuss the potential solutions related to the development/improvement of healthcare services in rural and remote areas.

Previously, a similar project was implemented in Tursunzoda district, where 60 village Primary Health Care facilities were provided with essential medical equipment.  In addition, the Project provided construction materials for the repair and rehabilitation of several medical centers, in which contributions from communities and authorities were valuable.

To date, a kick-off meeting has been held, with the participation of representatives of the local authorities and the managers of the primary health service and village activists.  Representatives of local authorities, community and Women Group members from Tursunzoda were invited to the event and shared their positive experience gained during the implementation of the previous MCH project.

The planned completion date of the project is December 31, 2019.