ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia, June 7, 2019 –  Yesterday UN Population Fund (UNFPA) delivered the final evaluation of Telemedicine Project in Ministry of Health under the title <Innovation in maternal and new-born health services, Mongolia: from pilot to institutionalization>. 

Telemedicine intervention in maternal and child health services which started in 2007 with joint effort of UNFPA, Government of Luxembourg, National Center for Maternal and Child  and aimag hospitals allows pregnant women and provincial doctors to seek real-time medical consultation from experts via online. Telemedicine also provides online learning platforms for medical professionals around the country to learn updated training materials and clinical guidelines. Telemedicine Project won United Nations Public Service Award for its “innovation and excellence in delivering health services.”

The independent consultants in charge of evaluation – Mzia TURASHVILI, MD., MScPH  and Dr. Davaadorj Uranchimeg MD., MSc. concluded that the Project has been: highly relevant to the national and international priorities of reducing maternal and child mortality; highly effective in institutionalizing telecommunication; and highly effective in capacity building while directly contributing in reduction of maternal death in the country. 

The Ministry of Health and the National Center of Maternal and Child Health will carry out the Telemedicine Project, which is now in Exit Phase, after 2019 September. The panel of various experts in Obstetrics, Gynecology, and antenatal care (ANC) representing academia and health service providers, led by the  Dr. Byambasuren, Vice Minister of Health and Dr. Iliza, Assistant Representative of UNFPA,  openly discussed the future of the Project on the subjects of sustainability of Telemedicine and institutionalization of training.