Publication: Tajik Child Health : All Hands on Deck
Date
2009-12
ISSN
Published
2009-12
Author(s)
Bakilana, Anne
Msisha, Wezi
Abstract
Promoting and protecting the health of
their families is a high priority of households in
Tajikistan-half of all households identify health as the
aspect of life that is of greatest concern to them. Thirty
five percent, or 2.5 million of the total estimated
population of 7.2 million people in the country, are under
15 years of age. The median age of the population is just
21.6 years (UN, 2008). Although fertility has fallen in
recent years, the total fertility rate remains above three.
Thus, policies to improve maternal and child health (MCH)
outcomes are central to improving the health of the nation.
Tajikistan faces considerable challenges in its quest to
achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for MCH
over the next six years. The fourth MDG target of a
two-thirds reduction in child mortality calls for Tajikistan
to decrease its current under-five mortality rate (U5MR) of
79 deaths per 1000 live births to less than 30 per 1000, and
the current Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) of 65 deaths per
1000 to under 25 per 1000. Countries with GDP levels similar
to Tajikistan have made significantly better progress
towards reaching their MDG targets. For instance, IMRs in
the Lao People's Democratic Republic and Cambodia stand
at 52 and 59 deaths per 1000 live births, respectively,
compared to 65 per 1000 in Tajikistan. IMRs in neighboring
Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic are 38 and 36 per 1000
live births, respectively. Similarly, with child mortality
rates of 69 and 41 per 1000 live births respectively, Lao
and the Kyrgyz Republic are in a better position than Tajikistan.
Citation
“Bakilana, Anne; Msisha, Wezi. 2009. Tajik Child Health : All Hands on Deck. Europe and Central Asia Knowledge Brief; Volume No. 11. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/1a5e80cb-f32d-5b21-acb6-37ce89d0d61a License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”