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| © UNICEF video |
| UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman during her video address to the 2nd Session of the Conference of African Ministers of Health. |
By Maya Dollarhide
NEW YORK, 13 October 2005 – In a video address to the 2nd Session of the Conference of African Ministers of Health, UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman has said that Africa is a priority region for UNICEF and that Health Ministers are front-line partners in UNICEF’s efforts to improve the lives and well-being of children.
The Conference, taking place from 10 to 14 October in Gaborone, Botswana, is focusing on ‘Sustainable Access to Treatment and Care for the Achievement of the Millennium Development Goals’.
In her remarks, Ms. Veneman said: “UNICEF is committed to working closely with African governments to improve child survival and prevent maternal deaths. Ministers of Health play an important role in mobilizing national action, including the allocation of resources and building international support to achieve the Goals.”
Sub-Saharan Africa has only 15.6 per cent of the world’s child population, but it has 44 per cent of all deaths of children under age 5.
