Mongolia Brief May 8, 2014 Part III
‘Mongol
Tolgoi-Silicon House’ complex introduces hi-tech developments
May 8 (UB Post)
The National Information Technology Park (NITP) reopened on Thursday as the
“Mongol Tolgoi-Silicon House” complex, which aims to develop greater awareness
and knowledge of the latest technology.
The complex is
comprised of hi-tech laboratories, a library and educational center for the
youth and research facilities to experiment with new information
technology-based ideas. The complex organizers hope it will be the base for
future Mongolian national brands.
Prime Minister
N.Altankhuyag held his regular “30 Minutes with the Prime Minister” meeting at
the newly opened complex. He also officiated at the launch and highlighted,
“NITP reopens today as Mongol Tolgoi-Silicon House complex to showcase Mongol
brains and intellect to the world, and raise competency and competitiveness of
Mongolians.”
“Now is the
time to talk and rely on the third tolgoi (brain), apart from Oyu Tolgoi and
Tavan Tolgoi mines,” he added.
Chief of the
Information Technology, Post and Telecommunications Agency Ts.Jadambaa also
noted during the launch, “We are working to create jobs with high pay and
produce domestically made world-standard E-products. Now that the ‘Silicon
House’ project has successfully launched, Mongolians will be able to work on
their new ideas and trials of new products at the complex.”
During the
launch, State-prized Scientist N.Natsagnyam introduced the program he invented
which is planned to monitor power plants.
Similar
programs are worth 600 million MNT in the global market, but he is building the
program at a cost of 150 million MNT.
Artists who are
making 3D animations at the order of the Ministry of Education and Science also
introduced their projects. These sort of computer graphic designs, animations,
videos, TV programs, paintings and music can all be produced in the computer
laboratory at the complex.
“I hope that
the Silicon House will act as leverage to accelerate information technology
development, and a center to join all related organizations in one place,” said
the director of Mongol Tolgoi-Silicon House, Ts.Tuvshintur.
Mongolia
and Myanmar hold first consultative meeting of Foreign Ministries
May 8 (UB Post)
The first consultative meeting between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of
Mongolia and Myanmar, co-chaired by director of the Mongolian Ministry of
Foreign Affairs Department of Asia-Pacific countries Ch.Bayarmonkh and U San
Lwin, director-general of the Political Department of the Myanmar’s Foreign
Ministry, was held Tuesday in Naypyidaw, Myanmar, where the parties discussed
the Mongolia-Myanmar relations and cooperation and integration of the
Asia-Pacific region.
The sides
emphasized the significance of the state visit of the Mongolian President to
Myanmar in 2013, as well as the official visit of Shwe Mann, the Speaker of
Myanmar and Speaker of the Burmese House of Representatives, for launching
bilateral relations and cooperation, and also agreed to exchange experience in
the proper exploitation of mineral resources, to cooperate in the tourism
sector and to bring other projects into effect accordingly.
Also, the two
ministries agreed on carrying out short-term training for Myanmar state
servants on democracy, open society, innovations in state services and the
judicial system, and adaptation to a multi-party system. They reached a
decision to exchange officials of their election committees and parliamentary
delegates regarding the issues of constitutional and election law.
Chairing ASEAN
in 2014, the Burmese side pledged to invite Mongolia’s Foreign Minister to
participate as a special guest in the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting to be held in
August of this year, and to attempt to positively address the official request
of Mongolia to host the “ASEAN+1” unofficial meeting by consulting with ASEAN
members. The Burmese officials also offered support for Mongolia to become a
partner of the ASEAN Dialogue and a member of the East Asia Summit.
In
the bowels of giant making
May 9 (UB Post)
“You are going to Mongolia? You must be crazy!”
That was the
first response from my friends after hearing my plans to go to Mongolia. I
replied, “Why shouldn’t I go to Mongolia?” they looked at me with annoyance as
if it was going to be the last day they were going to see me.
Mongolia is
three times bigger than the size of France. However, France has 60 million
people enjoying good wine while Mongolia, the land of blue sky, has less than
three million people. I live in a southern city in France, Toulouse, where the
sun is also present, and there is always good food and cheerfulness. Our
celebrations are well sprinkled with all kinds of alcohol and could remind one
of the Roman orgies portrayed in Federico Fellini’s movies. It is a perfect
place for students, but I decided to come to Mongolia. These beautiful
landscapes, friendly locals, powerful horses - it’s like a waking dream!
However, my arrival in Ulaanbaatar quickly showed me another aspect of
Mongolia. I had an image of Ulaanbaatar as a less developed city, but I was
mistaken.
First steps in Ulaanbaatar: France is a
distant memory
After spending
17 hours in airports and planes, I finally arrived at Chinggis Khan airport
feeling very tired, but I was so happy to be in Mongolia. The sunlight was
sweet, and it wasn’t as cold as I thought it was going to be. While I was in
the car coming from the airport, the landscape changed suddenly. Buildings and
construction appeared after passing through the steppes. Ulaanbaatar is
one of those places where time is congealed, because it is a perfect mixture of
traditionalism and modernism. What made it fascinating to me, at first, was
that all the buildings are steeped in history, constructed in the middle
of the steppe as if they came out of the earth.
Mongolia is
very far from France, from its cult of beauty and willingness to expose its
tireless cultural heritage. Far from the lush gardens, the red brick of
Toulouse churches, and picturesque streets in France. All around me, everything
was different in Mongolia.
The most daring
pedestrians trying to cross at green traffic lights, taking the risk of being
crushed by the local Michael Schumascher (a racecar driver). French law
requires that pedestrians try to not pass before the green light, which
admittedly is not very amusing. I felt it as a rite of passage: “If you can do
this, you will be one of them!”
In Ulaanbaatar,
sometimes drivers honk at me because I am too slow while crossing the road. The
road is still long, but I do not despair.
I continue my
walks unbridled in the sneaky streets. Now and then, my eyes stop on the shop
windows of Peace Avenue, purified and stripped. Signs go to the essentials. No
huge signs boast the undisputed price of the brand. Here, nobody tries to make
you believe that you will find the best deal of your life. At least, not until
you have crossed the threshold. Mongolians are very commercial, and there is a
certain gesture of honesty, as long as you do not take a taxi, which won’t
hesitate to inflate its prices for a tourist. But when tourists try to learn
the words of their native language with the shyness of a child, it’s hard to
blame them. French taxis are comfortable vehicles whose safety is
unquestionable, but the races are expensive and human contact is limited or
non-existent.
While I was
trying to go to a temple to the north of the city, painfully zigzagging between
cars, imagine my surprise when my steps led me to two French restaurants. The
first one, Le Bistro plays the card of the classic cuisine, but does so effectively.
And Le Triskell – it was unexpected to come across the darling Breton symbol in
the Mongolian capital. Maybe one day I will have the opportunity to sample the
dishes of my country across the globe.
Like many, I
came to Mongolia with my head full of steppes, aspiring to horseback riding,
and maybe to powerful encounters with its inhabitants. I integrated myself into
the landscape of a developing city, far from the ideas that I had of it.
Although plagued by scourges such as alcoholism and pollution, Ulaanbaatar is
far from a French city, but does not pretend to be like one. Its energy comes
from its wealth and popular culture, certainly, but even more from its capacity
to welcome you like no other. A unique, amazing city, but not more than its
inhabitants.
2014
Development projects: New thermal power plants and improvements in soums
May 9 (UB Post)
The following is an introduction to major development projects for 2014. They
will be financed with project investment, foreign investment and bond sources.
One trillion MNT to support domestic
industries
This year, the
Mongolian government is to support import-substituting industries with one
trillion MNT. In other words, 2014, the Year of the Wood Horse, will become a
year of industrialization. The government has finished reviewing projects for
domestic products to be manufactured and financed by the one trillion MNT. The
project will support some 800 import-substituting businesses out of 1,151 that
applied for the program. Starting this year, Mongolia is aspiring to become a
producing country, instead of an importing country.
Apartments for 1,000 families to be built
in all provinces
A large project
for infrastructure in the building and rural development sector will be
implemented this year. Apart from the new soum project for 16 soums of 16
provinces, an apartment program in each province to house 1,000 families will
be implemented. The work is concentrated on building private apartments.
Apartments will
be built in Tsengel soum of Bayan Ulgii Province, Khishig-Undur soum of Bulgan
Province, Tseel soum of Gobi-Altai Province, Khalkhgol soum of Dornod Province,
Tselmen soum of Zavkhan Province, Shaamar soum of Selenge Province, Mankhan
soum of Khovd Province and Ikh Uul soum of Khuvsgul Province.
Thermal power plants to be built in eight provinces
A major project
will begin for the energy sector. Infrastructure development and the
construction of new thermal power plants and thermal lines will soon begin. In
total, 160 billion MNT is planned for this. Bayankhongor, Zavkhan, Uvurkhangai,
Tuv, Arkhangai, Gobi-Altai, Dundgobi and Khentii provinces are included in the
project.
21 kindergartens established at the state
level
This year, a
new development project for the education sector, with estimated costs of 61.96
billion MNT will commence. Notably, construction work for 21 kindergartens will
begin and be commissioned. Furthermore, seven new schools will be established
at the state level. Three will be established in Ulaanbaatar and the rest in
rural settlements.
16 soums of 16 provinces to be renovated
A major
development project is commencing in 2014, establishing modern standard soums
with wastewater treatment plants for households and institutions in 16 soums of
16 provinces. Eighty billion MNT was approved from the budget and five billion
MNT will be spent on each soum. Apart from Bayankhongor, Gobisumber,
Darkhan-Uul and Orkhon provinces, one soum from the remaining 16 provinces will
be selected for renovation.
Dornod, Khuvsgul and Umnugovi provinces to
be connected to the capital
By the end of
2016, all provinces will be connected through roads to Ulaanbaatar. In 2013,
Bayankhongor, Dornogobi and Dundgobi provinces were connected to Ulaanbaatar
with paved roads.
This year,
Dornod, Khuvsgul and Umnugovi provinces will be connected. Associated funds
will not be provided from the budget, but with funding from Chinggis Bond.
Although the road work for these three provinces started last year, it was
halted due to contentions with contractor companies. The work will continue in
spring.
D.Batmunkh:
Let’s combat counterfeit medicines
May 9 (UB Post)
The following is an interview with the
Director of the State Specialized Inspection Agency (GASI), D.Batmunkh, about
current issues.
Food safety is the most pressing issue of
Mongolian residents today. Does the GASI inspect all imported food products?
The law on food
safety has been implemented for a year. Previously, anyone was able to import
food products but now, this issue has been dealt with. Producers and traders
have transferred to integrated regulations. Individuals aren’t able to sell
anymore. Producers have also introduced a hygiene standard system with high
requirements. This is a huge change for food safety. The GASI established a
registration program for producers, retailer and supplier companies. The state
transformed their external monitoring on food safety to electronic form,
meaning that now we have a program for this.
With this
program, when there are epidemics of acute poisoning or infectious diseases
from food, we’ll be able to swiftly carry out the first step of the law on food
safety which is to find the cause.
There has been criticism about imported
fruits, vegetable and noodles not meeting health and safety standards. The GASI
announces that they’ve detected nothing harmful. Residents believe that your
organization is under the influence of importing companies. Can you comment on
the issue?
Obviously,
we’ll focus on the information being published and take circumstantial
measures. However, we give priority to our own scheduled inspection and
prevention work. Just recently, there were scandals saying that they’ve
detected pesticides which are harmful to the human body and cause cancer.
According to reports, this wasn’t a research done by state accredited laboratory
of official inspection organization that has rights to inspect. It was a
research work for training students. There are three mechanisms of inspection:
reconnaissance, tests and evaluations. Through tests and inspections, we got
evidence that the level of pesticides weren’t harmful so without wasting time,
we announced the results to prevent public panic.
Does Mongolia have a sufficient amount of
modern laboratories and technology for inspecting imported food products as
soon as they enter the border?
Last year, the
government approved the National Reference Laboratory and at state level, we
have an integrated laboratory system. Presently, 12 border points, 21 provinces
and two districts of Ulaanbaatar are included in the state integrated system of
food and drug laboratory. Currently, permanent small laboratories for
chemical and bacteriological inspection are working at 12 border points. Now
we’re fully capable of testing the safety of food products on the spot.
Mongolia’s medicine market has grown out of
control and illicit drug use is increasing. What are you doing to address this
issue?
In
collaboration with legal organizations, we’re combating counterfeit medicines
imported from China that are not registered by the Drug Registration of
Mongolia. For example, with Ulaanbaatar Specialized Inspection Agency and
Bayanzurkh District, we conduction inspections to stop sales of abortion pills
from China. Some traders may think they’ve gotten away safely from the first
round but this inspection will be carried out long-term. The second round will
be organized with the police, Governor’s Office of Bayanzurkh District and the
administration of Narantuul Trade Center.
Counterfeit
medicines are mainly sold in Narantuul. We reminded the administration of
Narantuul Trade Center that they’re further activities will be halted if they
are unable to stop sales of counterfeit medicines.
In a single inspection, how much
unregistered medicine did you confiscate? How much of it was sold to residents
of Ulaanbaatar?
To our special
hotline 1286, we receive many complaints and information about issues regarding
medicines, food products, food manufacturers and organizations. Pursuant to the
reports, we organize inspections quickly, take relevant measures and notify
back.
We were able to
confiscate around 10 to 20 abortion pills from each trader as they are sold by
individuals in small quantity. Large amounts are usually hidden in other’s
container or homes. We’re aiming to work with the police to inspect homes and
wipe out the core of this dirty business. We started integrated inspections for
counterfeit medicines, medical services, pharmacy and the medicinal industry
and drug supplier organizations.
As of now, list
of unregistered drugs in the Drug Registration of Mongolia hasn’t been
finalized yet.
On drug manufacturer’s activities, what
sorts of regulations do you do? Have drug suppliers and manufacturers
accustomed to standards for operation?
There is a
serious problem. They’re trying to dodge some ethanol inspections. Drug manufacturers
import chemicals for drugs and medical products. Recently, large amount of
ethanol was imported.
Some
organizations use it for syringes, equipment sterilization and disinfection.
The use of ethanol and alcoholic products has increased this year and reached
from eight to ten tons. We’re doing inspections to determine the cause. Ethanol
is sold in small bottles for 200 to 800 MNT. Some alcohol addicts buy and use
them so we’re also paying special attention to ethanol sales. Safe operation
inspections are absolutely necessary as they give negative effects to health,
long-term diseases and even endangers one’s life. When the results are out,
we’re planning to have the General Inspector make reviews and formal measures,
give it to drug traders and service providers, and monitor their
implementation.
As the construction sector growth and real
estate demand increases but their quality worsens. Objects fall from
construction sites often and passersby are harmed. How will you manage these
operational incompetency issues?
At state level,
the GASI announced a one-month campaign for improving labor safety of all
construction related sectors including mining, housing constructions, roads and
bridges that have high risk of industrial accidents. We’re working to provide
labor safety, prevent industrial accidents. This campaign will be done in the
future so calculations and plans for further work are being developed. We began
work for complying technical safety standards by organizing a trade fair for
clothes, technologies, equipment, training and advertisement for providing
labor safety. The GASI must not only monitor and investigate companies that
contribute to the state budget revenue and economic development but also give
advice, help and support. We started to monitor regulations on labor safety
provision and contract developed between employers and contractors. We also
give them professional and methodological advice on ensuring enough money on
labor safety.
We’ve only
began new assistance services through the recent implementation of Government
Resolution No. 311 of 2013 about establishing an integrated system for the GASI
internal control. With this, we’ll make progress in public-private partnership
as well as cooperation on preventing accidents. We’re already seeing results
especially from rapidly developing mining and construction sectors.
After spending millions of MNT to move into
a new apartment, many people soon find out the bad quality of the buildings and
malfunction of water and heating systems. Even if they issue complaints, the
issue doesn’t get resolved. Who should be monitoring this?
Sometimes I
wonder whether some contractors have any humanity and consciousness to
commission safe buildings from which residents will not receive any loss. As
individuals, I don’t think it’s necessary to spend so much money and time just
to deceive one another and lose reputation. Buildings should be built with raw
materials and products that are capable of at least withstanding earthquakes or
any other dangers. Two years have passed since the agency stopped participating
in construction projects and state projects. This work was handed over to the
Authority for General Planning of Ulaanbaatar, Ministry of Construction and
Urban Development, Mongolian Trade Unions Federation and Mongolian Employers’
Federation. These organizations are responsible for monitoring quality and
standards as well as ensuring public-private cooperation and partnerships. The
GASI only monitors the implementation process.
Partnerships
between organizations for construction projects and commissioning is important
for ensuring quality, standards and safety of buildings. We’ll be able to
provide conditions where residents do not face any economic loss only by
raising issues from all sides, setting requirements and by regulating.
Apart from
quality, standards and safety of buildings, construction site size is very
important. If organizations for giving approval for blueprints, technical
conditions, constructions sites and commissioning are able to make construction
companies work according to standards and regulations, we will not have future
accidents or economic losses. At the capital city level, many buildings are
built every year. The number of our inspectors is insufficient for monitoring
all of them. It’s impossible to have an inspector for each construction sites
and trade enterprises. To prevent accidents and economic losses, concerned
organizations and external monitoring organizations must come to an
understanding.
Boy
from Mongolia wins FIA Young Artists Contest
May 9 (UB Post)
Mongolian boy O.Dulguun won a gold medal at the 2014 FAI Young Artists Contest
themed “Flying to Save Lives.”
Youngsters from
China, Japan, Mongolia, Nepal, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and the USA are among
the winners of the 2014 Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FAI) Young
Artists’ Contest. The event awards FAI medals and diplomas to artists in three
age categories from six to 17 years old.
O.Dulguun won
the contest in the intermediate category (ages 10 to 13), followed by
Anastasiya Novikova from Russia and K.C. Bibeen from Nepal.
The competition
was fierce, not only because of the quality of the artworks, but also due to
the significant rise in participation. The number of FAI member countries
taking part in the contest soared from 14 in 2013 to 21 in 2014 with the
involvement of Bulgaria, Canada, China, Czech Republic, France, Finland, India,
Italy, Japan, Libya, Lithuania, Mongolia, Nepal, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Serbia,
Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine and USA.
“We are
delighted that this year’s theme, ‘Flying to Save Lives,’ was so inspirational.
The paintings are of excellent quality and we are honored to award medals and
diplomas to such talented youngsters,” FAI Young Artists Contest coordinator
Suzie Gebb stated.
“21 FAI members
participated in this year’s contest, some of them from Turkey, Switzerland and
the USA having received between 5,000 and 10,000 entries. We also noticed with
pleasure that many new countries such as Egypt, Libya and Mongolia joined the
contest for the first time. We also received entries from Sri Lanka which sadly
could not be taken into account as the contest is reserved for FAI members, but
hopefully this country will join the FAI and participate next year.”
Mongolian
dancers to take part in World Dance Sport Championship
May 9 (UB Post)
The Moon Cup 2014 State Dance Sport Championship was held on May 5.
Over 40 dance
groups from Umnugovi, Dornod, Darkhan-Uul Provinces and Ulaanbaatar competed in
the Moon Cup 2014 State Dance Sport Championship, under the rules of the World
Dance Council.
Participants
competed in five different age categories namely; newcomer (under 7 years of
age), beginner (eight-11 years), junior (12-15 years), youth (16-18 years) and
adult (above 19 years) in standard and Latin dance categories.
Khatan Tuul
dance group took first place in the standard dance category, followed by Red
Rose dance group and Moon dance group. Moon dance group became champion in the
Latin dance category followed by Star and Khatan Tull dance groups.
Winners of
standard and Latin dance categories received rights to compete in the World
Standard Dance Championship of the World Dance Sport Federation, which is to
take place in Braunschweig, Germany in November and the World Latin Dance
Championship in Russia.
Blue
Transparency
May 9 (UB Post)
We are taking a closer look at the atelier of B.Sodnomdarjaa, participant of
the Ethnosphere project, and member of the Blue Sun Contemporary Center. He was
born in Zavhan Province, Mongolia, in 1986. He graduated from the Culture and
Art University of Mongolia.
He is a
painting teacher at the Rajiv Gandi Production and Craftsman University of
Mongolia. Last year he presented an exhibition named “Forever Flame”. He has
been awarded first prize at the Grand Art Exhibition, third prize at the Union
of Mongolian Artists’ “Spring” show, and other recognition for his sketches and
paintings.
Most of the
works for Ethnosphere were blue, but the utterances were different. With blue
he made rain, resuscitated history, and called on the power of wind.
Ethnosphere
B.Sodnomdarjaa
has been representing a very interesting project, Ethhnosphere. His painting
“Blue Wind of Steppe” has become an expression of the project.
He created this
painting to depict transparent, Mongolian wind as a work of art. As he explains
the word “ethnosphere”, it means traditional history, tradition, unity of
culture and art.
He said, “I am
really glad to be a representation of a project that is going to express
Mongolia completely, and I will participate in the project with paintings,
tradition, installation and video which express Mongolia.
Blue
The painter
defines blue as a transparent color. He tries to express many things in a
single work and makes them in various mediums. To use many techniques, blue
fits it for its transparent nature. The Mongolian belief in the good omen of
the color blue color has maybe also influenced his choice, but he likes all
colors. Perhaps, discovering how many colors can be explored beyond blue can be
one of his goals.
Music and painting
B.Sodnomdarjaa
believes that music and painting have a close relationship. He composes his
works while listening to music. Different kinds of music give him motivation to
draw. While he draws something that requires a lot of movement, he listens to
music. When his fingers become numb with cold, he listens to rock music. He
listens to jazz music while drawing something very sophisticated and punctual.
Appropriate music for the paintings make the exhibition, its visitors, and
music a complex thing.
Mongolia
We can see
Mongolian traditions, customs, symbolism, and beliefs in his works. Even the
name of his works remind us of unique Mongolian traditions, such as “Choicest”,
“Premier”, “Favored Person” and “Blue Flame”. He does not get caught in the
same techniques, but he specializes in the theme of Mongolia.
Development
We asked
B.Sodnomdarjaa what kind of principles must be followed in order for an artist
develop. He said, “I don’t really know about that, but an artist must compose
an idea that is in their mind.
Otherwise, if
all they think about is one thing and can’t implement the idea, that artist
won’t develop. Even if it is wrong or fails, a person who does something
improves and learns from their mistakes. By striving for excellence, anyone can
improve. This is the key indicator of going forward.”
Oaths
should be kept
May 9 (UB Post)
It is no secret that special occasions and celebration days can cause trouble
rather than joy in Mongolia, which spends many of its 365 days of the year
marking celebrations and festivals. The number of days dedicated to or named
after some profession, occasion or anniversary, has increased in recent years.
For instance, people who work in the health sector celebrate several days
including a day for doctors, nurses and midwives, etc.
One of those
special days, the International Day of Midwives, is celebrated worldwide on May
5, and was observed in Mongolia few days ago. On the Day of Midwives,
celebrated under the motto “We midwives will reach all families and change the
world,” a very unpleasant post about a famous Mongolian midwife spread through
social media and local websites. The post was the story of a woman suffering
from antenatal complications even though she was under the watch of a local
private hospital for eight months.
Her post was as
follows:
“I had to
deliver my baby 20 days before my due date, because my health was deteriorating
as I had recently lost my father. The reason for my early birth was that my
body was bloated and my child was in danger of being born with asphyxiation and
bloating. I gained 30 kilograms of water from my initial weight in a short
time. You might wonder if I took any measures and what I did to reach such
disaster.
I started
making antenatal appointments with a doctor at a private hospital in the first
month of my pregnancy and underwent treatments to reduce bloating and uterine
activity, or mild contractions, three times when I stayed at that hospital. The
medication provided almost no results, my bloating wasn’t reduced and my face
and body became unrecognizable. Believe it or not, I gained 63 kilos before the
pregnancy and weighed 113 kilos prior to giving birth. I had gained a whole 50
kilos, but the well-known doctor and midwife, under whom I was on antenatal
watch, said that my bloating was caused by the things that I ate, it was not
bloating and they also said that I had become too fat. She didn’t do any
special therapy to treat the swelling. I trusted the words of my midwife, whom
I had appointments with for a long time, and believed that I had just become
too fat. But when the heart of my baby stopped three times, the attending
physicians of that expensive hospital told me, ‘It is up to you to decide. We
have done what we can, you better go to the Mother and Children’s Hospital. We
can’t promise that we can deliver your baby safely, as we don’t have the
appliances and facilities for infants. However, it is easy to deliver the baby
through surgery.’
“They literally
told me to lose my child even after suffering emotionally and financially for
eight months.”
The year 2014
was announced as the Year to Support the Health of Mothers and Children. Health
Minister N.Udval publicly announced that the ministry is paying attention to
maternity issues and started receiving information about how many mothers are
giving birth weekly in cities and provinces, how many of them had birth
complications and how many newborn infants faced birth difficulties and why,
for the first four months of the year. The recently shared story is not the
only frustrating story on maternity issues. According to D.Tseepil, journalist
of www.news.mn, the following stories also prove the irresponsibility of
maternity hospitals and doctors in Mongolia.
… Citizen
E.Khongorzul underwent a caesarean surgery at Ulaanbaatar’s Third Maternity
Hospital by doctors N.Oyungerel, N.Batzaya and nurse N.Ganchimeg on September
8, 2011. But the doctors and nurse who conducted the surgery left a meter-long
bandage inside the patient. On November 19, 2012, E.Khongorzul underwent a
surgery at the Central Military Hospital and had the bandage removed.
… O.Dashmaa
gave birth to her first child at the Second Maternity Hospital on December 22,
2009. When she was giving birth, doctors pushed heavily on her stomach to
deliver the baby. Her child passed away because of asphyxiation, and her uterus
was removed because she had internal bleeding. The doctors tried to completely
hide the fact.
Because of the
irresponsibility of Ulaanbaatar’s Second Maternity Hospital’s doctors,
T.Baigalmaa lost her baby she carried in her womb for seven months, she also
had the complete removal of her reproductive organs as she was bleeding a lot
during the birth. The doctors opened the uterus to deliver the baby and then
removed it. Afterwards they lied and failed to remove an ovary.
There are many
such tragic stories that have been revealed to the public and were not widely
known. The victims in the examples shared here approached the media and spread
their stories on social media, as they were put into the most difficult,
unbearable situations and wanted to share with others. There are only few
people who have approached the press and legal organizations regarding the
issues they’ve face. But there are even more mothers, fathers and children who
are suffering from the irresponsibility of unskilled doctors, not knowing who
to approach and complain to.
A doctor has no
right to make a mistake. Behind every mistake made by a doctor, there is a
person’s health and life. Midwives should be even more responsible as the lives
and hopes of more than one person is in their hands. However, in recent years,
the health of children and mothers have been at risk due to overcrowding at
maternity hospitals as the birth rate has risen. Mothers and young women are
now afraid to bear a child and give birth because of this.
They compare a
mother who dares to give birth – who has no friends, family members or
acquaintances at the maternity hospital – to a person who is jumping into a
dark abyss. Even though governmental authorities and policy makers say that
there is nothing more important than its people to become a strong and powerful
country, they are failing to create an environment for mothers to give birth
without fear.
Today, supplies
and salaries available to health sector workers are low. However, do doctors
who took oaths have the right to work to fit the salary they get? If they are
not satisfied with their salary, they have the right to make other career
choices. If one decides to work as a doctor, he or she has no right to turn
their frustration about insufficient state supply and salaries on their
patients. They are people who took strict oaths to protect, as binding as they
are for policemen and soldiers.
When one gets
into an accident or one gets in a fight, there is no policemen who will leave
the scene saying, “I will work according to my salary.” But there are many
doctors who treat patients on the verge of life and death with such an
approach.
Giving birth
and having a baby is an indescribable happiness for mothers and families, and
this happiness lies in the hands of doctors. If a doctor cares, a child will be
delivered safely, if not, a life is at risk.
All service
sectors are starting to pay more attention to customer satisfaction. But the
only place that doesn’t care about the satisfaction of customers are hospitals.
Maybe it is time to replace people who work to fit their salary with doctors
who work for the satisfaction of saving lives. It is time to install surveillance
cameras in hospitals in order to protect patients and prevent mothers and
infants from unnecessary risks, and it is time for doctors to give their
patients a guarantee. If women keep living in fear of becoming pregnant, the
population of Mongolia will not grow.
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