From June 1 to 7, at the Scientific and Clinical Center for Maternal and Child Health in Ashgabat, medical specialists from intensive care units were trained on the topic of pediatric oxygen therapy for clinical practice.

The training was organized by UNICEF in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry.

Medical oxygen is a life-saving treatment that has no analogues, used to treat both acute and chronic respiratory diseases, including pneumonia. It is necessary for surgical operations, injuries, emergency interventions, intensive care, as well as for the treatment of obstetric complications, newborns and children with respiratory failure.

As a result of the training, health workers gained the skills to prescribe appropriate oxygen therapy for children by diagnosing, delivering and administering oxygen to the patient, according to a UNICEF press release.

UNICEF consultant and head of the training center of the National Scientific and Practical Center “Mother and Child” from Belarus Dmitry Sankovets said:

“Continuing professional development is important in the field of oxygen therapy, as critical situations require the medical professional to have a high level of skill in the correct administration and use of oxygen as a treatment. I am glad to see the great interest and involvement of the participants during the training in Turkmenistan”.

Access to quality medical oxygen is essential to achieve universal health coverage and seven of the nine targets of Sustainable Development Goal 3 on “good health and well-being”. UNICEF Turkmenistan supports the implementation of oxygen solutions in maternal and child health care settings, including access to supplies of essential oxygen products, installation of innovative oxygen production facilities and building the capacity of health workers to provide intensive care for newborns and children.