25.04.2024

For the first time in the Republic of Kazakhstan, 350 pieces of non-pneumatic anti-shock garments are being purchased and handed over to obstetric medical institutions in all the regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the initiative of the Ministry of Health and with the support of the AYALA Charity Foundation. Today, the first 9 garments were handed over in Astana: 3 to perinatal centres, 4 to city ambulance stations to provide mobile teams, and they will also be handed over to UMC CF and Astana Medical University JSC for the training of future healthcare workers.

The effectiveness of non-pneumatic anti-shock garments in reducing maternal mortality has been proven by an extensive evidence base collected worldwide. The World Health Organisation recommends its use as a temporary measure until appropriate medical care is available for the patient. UNICEF has included it in its portfolio of innovative projects to ensure that this cost-effective product is available worldwide.

According to the WHO, haemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide, with almost 75% of these deaths attributable to postpartum haemorrhage. Despite prevention and treatment options, postpartum haemorrhage is responsible for approximately 7000 or 25% of all maternal deaths worldwide each year.

For this reason, non-pneumatic anti-shock garments have been included in the inter-agency list of medical devices for essential reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health interventions drawn up by the WHO, UNICEF and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). This garment reduces blood flow to the uterus, treats hypovolaemic shock and can keep a bleeding woman alive for up to 48 hours. It is also reusable after sterilisation.

«We are pleased that together with the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan we can contribute to solving such an important task as reducing maternal mortality. The first demonstration of the work of the non-pneumatic anti-shock garment at the International Congress of Obstetricians in Astana attracted a lot of attention and interest, because the application is simple, and the result is quite fast. The Foundation’s partners also understand the relevance and importance of this project. We hope that our joint efforts will help save the lives of hundreds of women in Kazakhstan,» said Aidan Suleimenova, Founder and President of the AYALA Charity Foundation.

In order to improve the quality of medical care, the clinical protocol was updated by a working group of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan. It included leading professors from the country. Taking into account international standards, a new method of first aid was introduced to stabilise women with postpartum haemorrhage. The updated clinical protocol recommends the use of a non-pneumatic anti-shock garment for postpartum haemorrhage in obstetrics.

The developer of the updated clinical protocol, Professor G.B.Bapayeva, today holds a master class on the use of this garment for medical staff of obstetric organisations, ambulance stations of Astana and for the staff of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the Medical University.

Non-pneumatic anti-shock garment is a low-cost first-aid device that limits persistent postpartum haemorrhage. It is a compression suit originally designed with technology from the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to keep astronauts from blacking out during extreme acceleration by squeezing the arms and legs to push blood towards the head. This same technology was used to develop non-pneumatic anti-shock garment where external pressure is applied to a woman’s lower body to drive blood upwards, reducing and gradually stopping blood loss.