The Partnership Updates - April 2007
Partners' Forum
Tuesday Evening-17 April 2007 Dar es Salaam
More than 300 delegates filled the hall for the opening ceremony of the Partners’ Forum, hosted by the Government of Tanzania, the first-ever assembly of the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health officially began on the evening of April 17th.
The event included a series of inspiring speeches by prominent leaders, including the Prime Minister of Tanzania, Rt Hon. Edward N Lowassa, a video made by health care workers in Tanzania and a performance by a prominent Tanzanian singer, Stara Thomas. Often highlighting the success of Tanzania in reducing child mortality, the distinguished speakers also emphasized that the ability of developing countries to successfully address poor maternal, newborn and child health outcomes depends upon political commitment and integrated efforts from the community to the international level.
Available speeches and presentations and the Press release are posted on the Partners Forum page of The Partnership Website.
Wednesday 18 April 2007 - Partners Begin Deliberations
Wednesday the work of the Partners' Forum began in full, with the morning sessions -- chaired by WHO's new Assistant-Director General, Daisy Mafubelu -- dedicated to providing a comprehensive overview of The Partnership. The Chair of the Interim Steering Committee, Kul Gautam, provided history and vision; the Director, Dr Francisco Songane, a look at The Ten-Year Strategy; and the Deputy Director, Dr Flavia Bustreo, an overview of the achievements to date. An oft-repeated quote came from Kul Gautam: "It is important to remember that political accountability will be the means by which the MDGs will or will not be achieved." The morning ended with a synopsis of the governance framework for The Partnership, the Conceptual and Institutional Framework, by co-chair Ann Starrs.
Partner Countries have high hopes for the Partnership
Countries spoke of their hopes from The Partnership. Ambassador Gertrude Mongella unexpectedly returned to the Forum to represent her home country, Tanzania, joining the Minister of Health from Mozambique, Dr Ivo Garrido and representatives from Bolivia, Bertha Pooley, and Shaheen Masud, Mo H Pakistan.
Constituency Meetings
The afternoon sessions were dedicated to intensive participatory discussions amongst members of each Partnership constituency: Government, Donors/Foundations, UN Agencies, NGOs, Academic/Research Institutions and Health Care Professionals.
Quote Of The Day
Dr. Ivo Garrido, Minister of Health, Mozambique
“There is a great urgency to accelerate progress in maternal, newborn and child health because time is running out." Ambassador Dr Gertrude Ibengwe Mongella, President of the Pan-African Parliament and newly appointed Champion for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health in Tanzania: In her impassioned speech, Ambassador Mongella noted that the “issue of women’s health is no longer a ‘woman’s issue’, but is an issue of society,”
The Forum continues until Friday evening. Join us for news and more information in the coming days. And remember to join us electronically in Tanzania: Send your comment to “Partners Interactive” at pmnch@who.int