Partnership announces new Director: Dr Francisco Songane
The announcement of Dr Francisco Songane as Director of the new Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health took place on 13 December 2005 at the Tracking Progress in Child Survival- Countdown to 2015 conference in London.
Trained as obstetrician and gynaecologist, Dr Francisco Songane has worked as a doctor, a teacher, a hospital administrator, and served from 2000-2004 as the Minister of Health for Mozambique. Dr Songane is known as a leader and innovator in the field of public health. He coordinated the health relief effort during Mozambique's major flood disasters in 2000 and 2001. Internationally, Dr Songane contributed to the establishment of the Global Fund to fight HIV/Aids, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. He also served on the executive board of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations.
Dr Songane has been a driving force in the reform of global health agenda. He has outstanding technical expertise as well as vision to lead the important Partnership for Maternal, Newborn &Child Health and help accelerate progress towards the Millennium Development Goals of reducing maternal, newborn, and child deaths.