Young Child Survival and Development
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© Whitehill/UNICEF/Egypt |
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UNICEF focuses on strengthening routine immunization coverage, the surveillance system and social mobilization |
Infant and maternal mortality rates are much improved, but additional resources and interventions need to reach marginalized areas of upper Egypt where mortality rates remain unacceptably high. This is crucial to help achieve the Millennium Development Goals and Egypt,s national development priorities.
Projects:-
Nutrition
Exclusive breast-feeding rates have gradually fallen due to lack of awareness of the benefits. Regional training centres will promote increased initiation of breast-feeding within the first hour of delivery and exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months. UNICEF is advocating for enforcement of the law controlling illegal production of non-iodized salt. Training on the monitoring of iodized salt quality is supported for government food inspectors and salt producers.
Newborn and Child Health Services
To help reduce neonatal mortality, peri-natal care centres of excellence are being established in 4 governorates in Upper Egypt, targeting 2 million children under-5 and their mothers. The project supports the national integrated management of neonatal and childhood illnesses. Training will take place on clean delivery for 11,000 nurses and intensive midwifery for 50 nurses, and on neonatal resuscitation for 160 nurses, pediatricians, neo-natologists, anesthetists and obstetricians. UNICEF supports the national expanded programme on immunization targeting 11 million under-5 children to help maintain Egypt’s polio free status, and measles and rubella among 20 million young people.
Health Policy, Research & System Development
UNICEF, WHO and the government will conduct a comprehensive survey on immunizations nationwide and a baseline survey on community child care practices in Upper Egypt. Data-driven and evidence-based advocacy will address the disparities that exist in disadvantaged governorates and ensure that relevant health interventions are provided appropriately.
Family and Community Care
This project promotes healthier lifestyles among disadvantaged communities and increased demand for better health services. Messages on breast feeding, complementary feeding, early neonatal and child care, and hygiene awareness will be propagated. Doctors and nurses from family health units will be trained to provide improved maternal and neonatal child health services. The project encourages school children to transmit health and hygiene messages through promotion of child-to-child and child-to-family learning.
Water and Sanitation
The lack of proper hygiene and sanitation practices causes 20 percent of all under-5 child deaths in Egypt, mostly as a result of diarrhea. UNICEF is promoting improved drinking water and sanitation facilities at schools through a child-centred approach with learning materials and activities. The children also take sanitation lessons home and to the wider community. UNICEF advocates nationally for key water, sanitation and hygiene messages to be disseminated and runs communication campaigns on these issues.
