Cairo, August 5, 2005 – In an initiative to enhance health awareness in rural areas of Qena and Assuit governorates, the Ministry of Health and Population, with the support of UNICEF, Terre Des Hommes Foundation (Switzerland), community development associations, and USAID, have started a new project focusing on mothers' and children's health.
The project – focused on the districts of Saqoulta and Farshout -- aims at helping local communities decrease the mortality rates of mothers and children. It will provide mothers with vital health messages, including the need for check ups during pregnancy, the importance of safe and clean delivery, breastfeeding, healthy nutrition for children, and routine vaccinations.
The project will promote health services through raising mothers' awareness concerning common illnesses such as diarrhea and chest infections. In addition, it provides them with essential information about other conditions requiring medical advice, and the availability of health services in the villages.
This awareness depends on community workers who go door-to-door, and health messages promoted by mothers with proven leadership skills.
"The goal of the project is to allow communities to support themselves," says UNICEF Programme Communication Officer Sahar Hegazi. "Our goal is to change behavior and attitudes, so that communities don't just receive services, but can identify health problems, work on solving them, and demand the services they need."
The mechanism depends on local committees which gather the community members and leaders in an open forum. There, they can discuss health and environmental problems and come up with practical solutions.
Other activities help mobilize and raise awareness in schools, youth centers, clubs, and cultural centers. A significant role is also played by local television (Channel 7) which broadcasts health messages and documents the activities of the project on a regular basis.
For more information contact:
Dr. Sahar Hegazi – Programme Communication Officer
UNICEF Egypt
shegazi@unicef.org.
5265083/7 Ext. 211
Mr. Hatem Kotb – Executive Programme Manager
Terre Des Hommes Foundation