TURKMENISTAN: UNFPA-Supports Hotline for Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
Nesil featured an interview on 10 February, on the Teen Hotline, which is supported by UNFPA and the Health Information Centre of the Ministry of Health of Turkmenistan. The article focused on the reported success of the Hotline in Ashgabat and in the region in its efforts to provide counseling on health, trends and social problems the teenagers face today. Hotline psychologist Maya Meretgulyeva said, “The initial purpose of the hotline was to provide counseling services for teenage girls struggling to find answers to the sexual and reproductive health related issues.” However, the success of the service is reflected by the growing popularity of it among both male and female teens, as well as the concerned parents.
GUYANA: Intemperate Behaviour
Starbroek News published an article on 10 February arguing that just over a week ago, totally in keeping with the intemperate behaviour that has come to characterise this current administration, Health Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy chose a public forum to angrily inform the representatives of international organizations based here that they had used wrong data which was not tabulated locally, and which “disrespected” the country and undermined the efforts of local health workers. Dr. Ramsammy, almost shouting, during an address to open a two-day meeting on maternal and child health at the Regency Hotel, let the agencies know just how unfair and disrespectful they were. He was on a roll. Of course, the Minister had the media to play up to. He was sure his ‘speech,’ which no doubt would have embarrassed the agencies he specifically referred to – PAHO/WHO, UNFPA and UNICEF – would get out there. It must not have occurred to him that he, too, was being not just unfair and disrespectful, but downright ‘ornery’ over a matter which he could have addressed from his desk, using his telephone. Read: Starbroek News
BANGLADESH: Acid Throwing Incidents Buck Trend – Report
United News of Bangladesh reported on 10 February that the overall number of acid-throwing incidents decreased over the last few years, although the number of acid attack victims went up slightly in 2010, according to statistics revealed by the Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF). Addressing an annual press conference on prevention of acid-related violence and ensuring services for acid survivors, ASF executive director Monira Rahman said a total of 3,112 persons fell victim to acid attacks from 1999 to 2010.UNFPA assistant representative Noor Mohammad , Fajilatunnechha, an acid survivor and treasurer of ASF, and another acid survivor Sonia Akhter, also spoke at the press conference. Read: United News of Bangladesh
ZIMBABWE: Study Shows Drop in HIV Rate Driven by Awareness, Fear
VOA News reported on 10 February that heightened awareness and fear of infection with the virus that causes AIDS was a key driving force in the steep decline in new HIV infections in Zimbabwe between 1997 and 2007, says a study published this week by the U.S. journal PLoS Medicine. The examination of why HIV prevalence in the country fell from 29 percent in 1997 to 16 percent in 2007 was carried out by epidemiologists at Imperial College, London, and Harvard University School of Public Health, Cambridge, in partnership with Zimbabwe's Ministry of Health, the UN Population Fund and UNAIDS. Though HIV prevalence remains high by African standards, the fall in HIV prevalence in Zimbabwe is the largest seen anywhere in sub-Saharan Africa, researchers said. The study shows HIV incidence – the number of new infections taking place each year - declined markedly, especially after 2000, falling from 5 infections per 100 persons per year to less than 2 infections per person per year in 2010. Read: VOA News
LIBERIA: Health Minister Seeks Condoms For Ivorian Refugees
The Inquirer reported on 10 February that Health & Social Welfare Minister, Dr. Walter T. Gwenigale is calling for massive condom distribution among lvorian refugees. Minister Gwenigale said immediate condom distribution to Ivorian refugees is important to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and infections among 60 per cent of the vulnerable Ivorian population. Dr. Gwenigale made the call over the weekend in Butoue Nimba county when he lead a team comprised of top Ministry of Health officials and health partners to assess the health & social welfare conditions of Ivorian refugees. In a related development, UNFPA has donated assorted medical supplies to the Ministry of Health & Social Welfare. Esperance Fundira, UNFPA Resident Representative to Liberia making the presentation, said UNFPA is happy to support efforts by the government of Liberia in meeting its goals of reducing Maternal and Infant Mortality and increase the health status of Liberia.
Read: The Inquirer
CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE: JOINT UNFPA/UNDP/UNICEF SUB-OFFICE SUPPORTS CIVIL SOCIETY
Les Depeches de Brazzaville reported on 10 February on a meeting held at the UNFPA/UNDP/UNICEF joint sub-office in Pointe Noire, the economic capital of the country. The three UN agencies hosted the Etats Generaux of a major NGO network of Pointe Noire, consisting of 1,200 NGOs working on social issues, which discusses their plans for 2011, including how to strengthen their coordination. In 2010, UNFPA Representative David Lawson hosted a similar meeting at the UN joint office. This time, the gathering was hosted by the sub-office heads of the three agencies. Read in French: Les Depeches de Brazzaville
BURKINA FASO: Interview with UNFPA Sub-Regional Office Director Faustin Yao
Sidwaya on 10 February, published an interview with Faustin Yao, the director of the sub-regional office of UNFPA. After discussing the role of the UNFPA sub regional office for West and Central Africa, Mr. Yao highlighted the importance of the control of population growth in the development of the countries. For him, in effect, "control of population growth is an asset for the development of a country." In this interview Mr. Yao also addressed the issue of repositioning family planning and the achievement of the MDGs in Africa.
GLOBAL: CONTINUING COVERAGE ON PRESENTATION OF PRIORITES BY UNFPA LEADER BABATUNDE OSOTIMEHIN
LATIN AMERICA: Multiple media outlets reported on 8-10 February on a statement by UNFPA Executive Director Babtunde Osotimehin about the new population dynamics. Dr. Osotimehin said, “More than 3 billion people are under the age of 25, with almost 1.8 billion people between the ages of 10 and 24, the parents of the next generation.” They also reported on UNFPA’s work to raise awareness about population and development, reproductive health and rights, gender equality and the empowerment of women. Read in Spanish: Cambio (Bolivia), Clarín, La Voz del Interior, Día a Día, Telam
CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE: Congo-site and Les Depeches de Brazzaville reported on 10 February on the presentation by Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, UNFPA Executive Director, at the Executive Board of the priorities for his four-year term. According to him, addressing the challenges of a world of 7 billion people and investing in young people, reproductive health and gender will enhance economic growth in developing countries. Dr. Osotimehin said, "A world with 7 billios people creates new population dynamics; UNFPA should assist countries in addressing them." Read in French: Congo-Site and Les Depeches de Brazzaville
NIGERIA: The Daily Trust (Nigeria) reported on 7 February that the new Executive Director of UNFPA, Babatunde Osotimehin has said that promoting accountability and transparency will be “number one priority” of his administration. “UNFPA is an agency that has a lot of resources given to us by member states; we must show evidence of proper utilisation of resources,” he said in New York. He pledged that later this month, he would publicly declare his financial assets as “an international civil servant," in compliance with the UN Financial Disclosure Programme. Read: The Daily Trust