The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Azerbaijan has prepared a number of educational materials on responding to COVID-19 for the general public and health workers. The materials, developed in collaboration with the Association for the Support and Development of Gynecology and Perinatology and the Scientific Research Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology (SRIOG), include a handbook for pregnant women and lactating mothers on COVID-19, as well as a booklet for obstetricians and gynecologists containing COVID-19 and pregnancy-related recommendations based on the international experience. The materials are distributed by the Association and SRIOG among the perinatal centers, maternity hospitals and women counsel clinics in Baku to raise awareness of pregnant women and young mothers about COVID-19.

“The Scientific Research Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology has long been cooperating with the UNFPA in the spheres of pregnancy, maternal and newborn health. In times of the current pandemic, protecting pregnant women, young mothers and their babies from COVID-19 infection has become one of our top priorities. To cope with this task, first of all, it is important to properly educate and inform people. We thank the UNFPA for their support in this work”, says Ms. Jamila Kurbanova, head of the Institute and head of the Association for the Support and Development of Gynecology and Perinatology.

“In these challenging days, health workers are at the forefront of the struggle with COVID-19. Midwives and doctors, who are responsible for the health of mothers and safe delivery of hundreds of babies every day, now have a burden heavier than ever before. We at UNFPA are committed to supporting health workers in their life-saving efforts”, notes Mr. Farid Babayev, head of the UNFPA’s office in Azerbaijan.

It is worth of mentioning that SRIOG has already started distribution of the educational materials to the maternity and antenatal institutions.