Report of celebration of World Health Day 2005

World Health Day posters were put up in many open spaces throughout Mongolia.

8 APRIL 2005 | ULAANBAATAR, MONGOLIA -- This year, with great enthusiasm we have celebrated World Health Day under the slogan “Make every mother and child count”. It was a distinct opportunity for us to focus attention of government and non government organizations, private entities, health care providers, the media and members of public to children, which in our view, is an important matter as rightly stated in WHO messages for World Health Day 2005 that healthy mothers and children are the real wealth of societies.

We view that in our country Maternal Mortality Strategy for 2001-2004 endorsed in 2001 had been successfully implemented, as a result maternal mortality ratio had been reduced till 98.8 per 100 000 live births or 2 times in 2004 since the adoption of the new definition for maternal mortality registration in 1992 in accordance with WHO guidelines. In Mongolia, child mortality was decreased almost by 2 folds compared to that of 1990. However, Mongolia still has to work hard to further improve health and well-being of mothers and children. Consequently, Maternal Mortality Reduction Strategy for 2005-2010 has been developed by Ministry of Health with active participation of all stakeholders. This year, with great support and involvement of our government and local and international partners, Mongolia was able to become integral part of the global celebration of World Health Day by hosting wide range of activities related to health and well being of mothers and children. We would like to commend WHO for the development of a comprehensive toolkit for organizers of activities which greatly helped shed some light as to the underlying grounds for the choice of activities to host.

H.E. the Prime Minister of Mongolia, Ts.Elbegdorj, and Minister of Health, Mrs. T.Gandhi made speeches for World Health Day 2005 calling all to undertake substantial activities to improve health of mothers and children through media which was broadcasted nationwide.

The following are the activities hosted on World Health Day 2005:

• Launching ceremony of Maternal Mortality Strategy for 2005-2010, which was developed on the basis of lessons learned with implementation of Maternal Mortality Strategy for 2001-2004, was organized on April 6, 2005. During this ceremony, the renewed Child Growth Chart for children up to 5 years old was also introduced officially. The event was hosted with involvement of government officials, representatives of health care providers, international organizations and the media.
• TV Great Debate was organized with participation of all levels decision-makers, representatives, partners of governmental and non governmental organizations, researchers, civil society, health care providers, international partners, pregnant women with their family members. The Great Debate was focused on the extent of health problems any mothers and children, raising awareness on existing solutions and stimulation of collective action. These kind of debates had been organized in two remote provinces with high maternal mortality such as Bayan-Ulgii and Khovsgol (Video tapes are enclosed).
• Training had been conducted in the two above mentioned provinces for local governors, NGOs, representatives of religious organizations. The Action Plan for the implementation of MMR Strategy in these provinces had been developed.
• For the World Health Day, the BBC took documentary film to reflect the challenges that Mongolia faces to protect mothers and children health, and to reduce maternal mortality. The film was taken in Ondorkhaan city, Omnodelger, Dadal soums and Ulaanbaatar city.
• TV and radio sports, newspaper publications on “Make every mother and child count” were broadcasted through all means of media (copies of the TV, radio and FMs are enclosed).
• Translation and publication of “WHO Toolkit for organizers of activities for World Health Day was done and distributed by Health Minister’s Order. Furthermore, calendars, pencils and bags were produced and distributed among the health organizations, and other local and international partners (samples are enclosed).
• During one month, campaign was organized to cover pregnant women without local registration who migrated from rural areas to the capital city, with reproductive health services. As a result, in total 9703 women were registered and 399 pregnant women were taken under pregnancy control. 1749 women received family planning. During this time period, 5127 children up to 5 years old were newly registered at the Family Group Practices, of which 193 children received vitamin A supplements and 353 children were covered by catch up vaccination.
• In World Health Day, April 7, in total 2096 mothers at the Maternal and Child Research Center, Maternal Houses were provided with vitamin A supplements and advocacy materials on World Health Day.
• The posters, dedicated to World Health Day have been put in all open places at the Ministry of Health, City Health Departments, main streets, and Railway Station, Trade Centers, tertiary hospitals till June 1, 2005 ( June 1 is the Mother and Children’s Day in Mongolia).
• The competition for selection of the best governors distinguished by mother and child friendly was announced among the province governors. It is intended to provide an opportunity for study tour for the best governors to learn from experiences of other countries.
• The drawing competition “What can be done to improve health of mothers and children was announced among secondary school children through mass media and about 20 paintings were collected. The working group selected the best paintings and awards were handed over to school children during the press conference organized for World Health Day. The winner school children were interviewed and their paintings were published on the newspapers (Paintings are enclosed).
• With consideration that, establishment of Mother and Child Friendly Environment is important action to protect mother and child health, the nomination of best and selection of health promoting organizations was done during World Health Day 2005. Certificates of recognition were given to 5 organizations:
• Heating Co.Ltd, Darkhan-Uul province
• Secondary School number 33
• Secondary School, Khovsgol province
• Secondary School, Dornod province
• Hospital of Tarialan soum, Khovsgol province
• During the first quarter of 2005, senior obstetricians of the Maternal and Child Health Research Center had been sent to Arkhangai and Ovorkhangai provinces which had maternal mortality cases and to investigate the situation and to assist local health professionals to improve their knowledge and skills.
• Workshop on prevention of common complications during pregnancy, labor, postpartum and managing of the complications was organized among obstetricians working in the capital city. The workshop was organized with participation of Senior Adviser of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ministry of Health, Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Health Sciences University, President of Obstetrics and Gynecological Doctors’ Federation.