Dear Chair! Ladies and gentlemen!

The Republic of Kazakhstan significantly improved health indicators since gaining independence. For example, maternal mortality was reduced by 5,5 times from 76 for every 100 000 live-born children in 1990 to 14 in 2018.

Our country undertakes the first Programme commitment to continue financing training for PHC workers on the issues of prenatal care, safe obstetric care, family planning to prevent maternal mortality.

We will continue the annual implementation of confidential audit of maternal mortality according to the methodology of WHO.

Since the majority of sexual and reproductive health services are provided as a primary health care (hereinafter referred to as PHC), 60% of healthcare capital will be allocated to PHC and public health on behalf of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Leader of the Nation Nursultan Nazarbayev by 2024.

Currently, 100% of population of Kazakhstan has equal access to the basic package of health services consisting of the guaranteed amount of free health care which covers medical services for all pregnant women and all children from birth to 18 years.

Additionally, the Government of Kazakhstan confirms its financial commitment to introduce compulsory social health insurance by January 2020.

It will double government health expenditures in the next five years to 5% of GDP. Starting in January 2020, we will be able to cover costs of 91 additional outpatient services to protect the sexual and reproductive health of adolescents and youth under 28 years of age.

Moreover, the Government assumes a commitment to continue financing Youth health centers in each region of Kazakhstan which provide youth friendly information, counseling services and sexual and reproductive health protection services.

Kazakhstan assumes an important legal commitment to reduce the age of obtaining medical services without parental consent from 18 to 16 years. The corresponding draft of Health Code was developed and is currently being discussed in Parliament.

Measures have been taken to provide zero tolerance to offences against women and children in the society. A draft law introduced before Parliament provides greater punitive measures for sexual abuse of children, domestic violence against women and human trafficking.

Deputies of the Majilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan initiated new version of the law “On Prevention of Domestic Violence” which is currently under review. This draft law will cover all forms of violence including physical, mental, sexual, economical violence and provide preventative and response measures.

Furthermore, Kazakhstan is taking the necessary steps to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Violence against Women and Domestic Violence also known as the Istanbul Convention.

Thank you for attention!