Uzbekistan secures a $100 million loan from the Asian Development Bank

The Asian Development Bank has approved a concessional loan of $100 million to Uzbekistan aimed at enhancing perinatal health services. This announcement was made by the Asian Development Bank.

According to the report, maternal mortality in Uzbekistan stood at 38 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2010, decreasing to 30 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2020. However, this figure remains higher than the average in Europe and Central Asia.

Therefore, the ADB will assist the government in modernizing nearly 230 perinatal centers across the country. This initiative includes equipping these centers with modern, energy-efficient medical equipment, updating medical standards and protocols, enhancing the capacity of healthcare workers, and improving quality assurance mechanisms.

Kanokpan Lao-Araya, head of ADB's permanent office in Uzbekistan, stated, "ADB's support will include training midwives and nurses to encourage pregnant women and mothers to seek medical services."

It's worth noting that previously, the ADB provided a concessional loan to develop Uzbekistan's financial market. On October 7, 2021, the Asian Development Bank's Board of Directors approved a $100 million loan for Uzbekistan under the "Financial Market Development Program," spanning 25 years with a grace period of 5 years.