We are working with the consulting company evaplan at the University Hospital Heidelberg GmbH in the framework of the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) Programme “Health in Kyrgyzstan”. This GIZ programme aims to improve access to basic health services delivered to international standards and on a sustainable basis for all population groups and genders, especially in rural areas. The focus of our project is strengthening the quality and continuum of care for pregnant women and newborns. The main mechanisms we are using are capacity building of rural health professionals in how to improve the quality of the services they deliver with a focus on strengthening knowledge, skills and attitudes on assessing and planning how they organize and deliver these services.  This capacity building includes, for example, building capacity in leadership and management, key processes such as data analysis and supply chain management and preventing and controlling infections.  Our capacity building has been valuable in strengthening capacity before and during the Covid-19 pandemic.