Countdown 2015 urges parliamentarians to save mother and child lives
Countdown and MNCH in 120th IPU Assembly
7 APRIL 2009 | ADDIS ABABA - Some 1200 parliamentarians from 154 countries have been asked to represent and create legislation to save the lives of millions of mothers and children who die needlessly each year.
This message came from the Ethiopian Minister of Health and Co-Chair of The Partnership, Dr Tedros Adhanom at a joint Special Session of the Countdown to 2015 at the 120th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). Countdown actions at the IPU also included speaking to the IPU Women's Committee and a special tour of local health facilities with Parliamentarians.
The Countdown to 2015 Initiative is a multi-partner project to track coverage levels for health interventions proven to reduce maternal, newborn and child (MNC) mortality. It calls on governments and development partners to be accountable, identifies knowledge gaps and proposes new actions to reach Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5, to reduce child mortality and improve maternal health.
The 2009 Countdown Initiative follows last year's Countdown 2008 Conference, which took place in conjunction with the 118th IPU Assembly in Cape Town where Parliamentarians signed a statement of commitment to continue to work on MNC issues.
Read more on each of the following events:
- Women Parliamentarians meet
- Special session: Countdown / Maternal, Newborn & Child Health at the 120th IPU Assembly
- Parliamentarians visit healthcare facilities in Addis during 120th IPU Assembly
Documents and presentations
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Speech: Dr Tedros Adhanom, Ethiopian Minister of Health and Co-Chair of The Partnership
pdf, 146kb -
Statement by Dr. Nicholas Alipui, UNICEF Director of Programmes
pdf, 12kb -
Presentation: Dr Flavia Bustreo to Women Parliamentarians
pdf, 351kb -
Presentation from Zambia: Parliamentary Caucus on Children
pdf, 367kb -
Presentation from Italy: Legislating for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health, by Sen. Barbara Contini
pdf, 301kb -
Draft Bill to Italian Parliament February 2009 English summary
pdf, 20kb -
Draft Bill to Italian Parliament - 2009 italiano
pdf, 88kb
Press
- Countdown to 2015 Media Advisory 2 April 2009
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Information on Parliamentarian visit to health facilities 6 April 2009
pdf, 62kb - Clippings Voice of America
- Listen to the VOA report