Say Yes, Winter 2004: In This Issue

DR. RECEP AKDAĞ TALKS TO UNICEF

UNICEF has a long history with the Ministry of Health (MOH) stretching from the first project in 1951 to the present campaigns to eliminate Measles and the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding.

Shortly after the launch of the Measles Immunisation campaign, Minister of Health, Dr Recep Akdağ spoke to UNICEF about the issue of Mother and Child Health and his personal feelings about the well-being of children in this rapidly developing country.

Read A Golden Year for Health.

THE STATE OF THE WORLD’S CHILDREN 2004

UNICEF’s annual report, The State of the World’s Children 2004, was launched globally in December. This year the focus of the report is on the issue of girls’ education as the foundation for achieving the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs). The report eloquently summarises the complex challenge which education presents to every sector:

• Finance: allocation of funds to make schools affordable;
• Health: the provision of adequate services, water and sanitation;
• Labour: establishment of protection for working children;
• Justice: making schools safe;
• Planning: enabling local communities to oversee the services they need for their children to survive and thrive;

Read more about Girls, Education and Development. A full summary of The State of the World’s Children can be read online from UNICEF worldwide headquarters.

ELIMINATING MEASLES

The MOH, together with the Ministry of National Education (MONE) and UNICEF launched Turkey’s campaign to eliminate Measles in December. A total of 9.5 million school children were vaccinated against the disease in a two week nationwide drive covering every school in the country.

With the successful completion of this initial phase, Turkey is the first country in WHO European Region to have initiated a Measles elimination programme. Measles causes more childhood deaths than any other vaccine-preventable disease -- every year, more than 700,000 children die from complications related to the disease. It is expected that the entire European Region should be free of Measles by 2010.

A second ‘mop-up’ phase of vaccinations for pre-school infants and children who are not at school is planned for 2004. By the end of this year, virtually all children between nine months and fourteen years of age will have been given the vaccine.

Read Measles Vaccination … No More Tears.

A CHILD-FRIENDLY MEDIA NETWORK

A ‘Measles Immunisation in Turkey’ seminar involving UNICEF, the MOH, İstanbul University, the Association of Parliamentary Correspondents and members of the press was held between the 4th and 6th of December 2003 in preparation for the Measles Immunisation campaign. The seminar focused on media perception of children and offered a platform for various sectors to discuss the issue and to make suggestions for development.

One of the most immediate outcomes of the seminar has been the establishment of a Child-Friendly Media Communication Network which will focus on current issues in the protection of children’s rights. A website targeted for the media, offering a forum for the exchange of views and information regarding implementation of international conventions, is in preparation.

It is expected that the network will greatly enhance awareness of children’s rights and help to prevent violations of those rights.

Read Child Vaccination for the Media.