perinatal situation in kosovo for years 2000 – 2004 - UNFPA

poverty has increased from 12 per cent in 2000 to 15 per cent in 2003. Unemployment
is very high, with 57 per cent of the available workforce out of work. It is particularly
concentrated among women and young people who have levels of close to 70 per cent.
Perinatal mortality records deaths occurring during late pregnancy (after 22 weeks
gestation), at birth and during the first week of life (0-6 days). The poor reporting of
vital events by the health institutions renders it difficult to estimate the perinatal
mortality reliably. WHO, UNICEF and UNFPA have tried to solve the problem by
collecting and analyzing data on perinatal indicators since 2000. The report does not
cover deliveries at home or in the private clinics.
The recorded perinatal rate was 29.2 in 2000 while for year 2004 is 25.6 per 1.000
births. Although there is a decline trend the figures are far too high from the Western
Europe countries and this need to be explained and addressed properly by specific
studies and one of the possible causes may be inadequate level of the antenatal care.
The development of perinatal mortality over the past four years is characterized by a
steady stillbirth rate and a slightly decreasing perinatal and early neonatal mortality
rates suggesting that the further educational and clinical efforts and support in needed
to improve the quality of obstetric and neonatal care in Kosovo.
In year 2004 Ministry of Health in row of previous organized conferences by the WHO
and UNICEF in collaboration with Kosovo Mother and Child Health Council, Kosovo
Gynaecology Association and Kosovo Paediatric Association and supported by UNICEF
Kosovo Office has organised a Perinatal Conference.
In year 2005 Ministry of Health supported by Swiss Red Cross/UNFAP in collaboration
with other relevant institutions and organization have created a working group for
development and completed the Reproductive Health Strategy and currently is in the
final stage for finalizing the Reproductive Healthy Law.
World Health Day 2005 was focused on maternal and child health with motto “Make
Every Mother and Child account”. For this purpose was organized in Kosovo a
campaign and conference leaded by the Ministry of Health - Mother and Child Health
Office in collaboration with different relevant institutions and very actively supported by
WHO, UNICEF and UNFPA. This conference gathered government stakeholders,
organizations, professionals and local society and enabled presentation of the Perinatal
situation in year 2004, launching of the different publications and final draft of
Pregnancy and Child Health booklets. The conference was successful and Mr. Sadik
Idrizi, Minister of Health declared year 2005 the Mother and Child Year in Kosovo.
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