ECUADOR: Number of Teenage Pregnancies Is “Alarming” Says President
EFE, Andes Info, Ecuavisa and Hoy reported on 19 February that President Rafael Correa and Health Minister David Chiriboga spoke of the need to initiate an aggressive family planning campaign, given the high rates of teenage pregnancy reflected in the statistics, pointing to the high cost and social and economic impact this has. This statement is aligned with the approval granted by the President to "Intersectoral National Strategy for Family Planning (ENIPLA) by the Ministry of Public Health of Ecuador, the Coordinating Ministry of Social Development, the Ministry of Education, UNFPA and PAHO. Read in Spanish: EFE, Andes Info, Ecuavisa, Hoy
MALAYSIA: UNDP Representative Kamal Malhotra Answers Questions on Role, Relevance of UN
The Star published, on 19 February, questions from the public and answers from UNDP Representative Kamal Malhotra on the role of the UN and its relevance for Malaysian citizens. In his discussion of the roles of several UN agencies, he noted that UNFPA is helping address Malaysia's considerable sexual and reproductive health challenges; WHO and UNFPA are together helping address maternal-mortality-related issues, while WHO is helping Malaysia address its current major health challenges. Read: The Star
SUDAN: Walking Together for Safe Motherhood
Sudan Vision Daily reported on 19 February on a walk organized by the White Ribbon Alliance-Sudan with the support from the Obstetrics and Gynaecologists Society of Sudan, Ahfad University, Salmmah Women’s Resource Centre and UNFPA. Read: Sudan Vision Daily
NIGERIA: A Woman’s Death At Childbirth Too Gory
The Daily Independent featured a column by Yinka Shokunbi on 19 February on the country’s ongoing strike by health workers and the death of a colleague’s wife from causes related to childbirth. The article noted that, according to available statistics published by UNFPA, “Across the world every minute a woman dies of complications in pregnancy and childbirth, leaving her baby more likely to also die within two years.” According to former Executive Director of UNFPA, Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, “Every day, some 1,400 children will lose their mothers -- one every minute.” Read: The Daily Independent