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Securing better health for kids

Few simple steps to saving children’s lives

Samarkand, Uzbekistan. - A 6 month old Lorchinbek has been brought to Samarkand multi-profile Children’s Centre in a critical condition, with complicated pneumonia. He was immediately sent to the Resuscitation Department. Lorchinbek is now under intensive care and is getting oxygen through a small nasal plug. His therapy also includes antibiotics that are used in moderate dozes so as not to have any adverse effects.

Zamira Hudoyberdieva with her little son Lorchinbek.

Zamira Hudoyberdieva is allowed to stay with her son. It is a new practice at this medical centre. Mothers’ presence and care help little patients to recover faster. Parents benefit too as they are consulted and can follow each step of the prescribed treatment.

A year ago children with the same diagnosis would be handled differently: get three antibiotics instead of one, day-long infusion therapies, perhaps some more drugs. The oxygen would be provided through a huge mask covering almost the entire face of the baby.

Now many things at Samarkand children’s centre have changed. The centre is now using a simplified procedure for diagnostics and treatment of the six most common illnesses of children between the age of two months to five years, which is based on internationally accepted standards of child care. This was preceded by the training arranged by the Project on Improvement of Mother and Child Services in Uzbekistan. The project is implemented by UNICEF and the Ministry of Health with EU funding support.

“We have changed the way we work,” says Ulugbek Salomov, Head of the Pulmonology Department.

Gaining people’s trust

Improved provision of oxygen, using fewer but more effective medicines, halting the routine practice of infusion therapies that are really not needed - these are some of the new methods that Samarkand children’s medical centre has introduced. They have proved both relevant and efficient. In the space of just one year, the Centre’s key performance indicators have improved.

To make sure that children with severe illnesses receive swift medical help, the centre invented a new practice in the admission department. After a quick doctor’s examination, all new patients get red, yellow or green ribbons.

A red ribbon means that a child is very sick and requires immediate attention. In that case, resuscitation measures are taken even before he or she reaches the relevant department. The centre is now able to supply life-saving oxygen to the patients at the door step. Children with less serious ailments, but still requiring hospitalization get a yellow ribbon. Finally, the green ribbon is a sign of no serious symptoms or illnesses that have been found and they can wait their turn with parents in toe.

Families like the changes at the Samarkand Children’s Centre, especially lesser queue time. But the new treatment techniques were not taken for granted. “By and large, our people are used to old practices. They think the success of effective cure lies in the amount of medicines one gets,” says Ulugbek. Parents’ appreciation came later, when children made a quick recovery. The families also realized that reduced use of drugs brought savings to their overstretched budgets.

They are now busy spreading the word about their experience at the Samarkand Children’s Centre. The number of visitors to the Centre from nearby communities and beyond is rising.

Admission department of Samarkand Multiprofile Children’s Centre.