Program to address MDG 4 & 5 officially launched at MISAU
MAPUTO, Mozambique, 14 June 2012 - This morning, the official launch of a joint project to support the national plans towards Millennium Development Goals (MDG) 4 and 5 focused on maternal and child health took place at MISAU. The project is funded by the Canadian government and implemented by four UN agencies under the coordination of UNICEF. The USD 20 million project has national reach, but focuses specifically on Zambezia, which currently is the province with the poorest health outcomes in Mozambique. "We are looking for sustainable results and want to make sure that what we achieve today will also be here tomorrow," said Alain Latulippe, the Canadian High Commissioner, at the launch event. Mr. Latulippe emphasized the need for lasting and long term solutions to the country's health problems, through improved coordination, good policies, decentralization and local involvement in implementation and decision making. Minister of Health Dr. Alexandre Manguele addressed the social determinants of health and emphasized the need for an integrated approach to health problems. "We need to ensure access to water and sanitation, especially in rural areas; we need to ensure that girls go to school; and we need to continue to provide free access to health care," said Dr. Manguele. The Minister also addressed the need to reduce chronic malnutrition and increase access to family planning. Resident Coordinator of the UN system in Mozambique, Jennifer Topping, also spoke at the launch and was accompanied by the heads of the four implementing UN agencies (UNFPA, UNICEF, WFP and the WHO). The launch event was concluded with a symbolic signing of the program agreement and an opportunity for the media to ask questions related to the project. For more information, please contact Arild Drivdal, UNICEF Mozambique, tel. (+258) 21 481 100; email: maputo@unicef.org Gabriel Pereira, UNICEF Mozambique, tel. (+258) 21 481 100; email: maputo@unicef.org
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