YEMEN: Support for Safe Motherhood
Multiple media outlets reported on 7 July the meeting between UNFPA Representative Marc Vandenberghe and the Minister of Social Affairs, Amat AL-Razzaq Hummad, in which they discussed UNFPA’s support for delivery kits that could help in reducing the maternal and child death in Yemen. Read in English: Saba News. Read in Arabic: Saba News, Shebab TV, Al Gomhoriah, Sahafah and Al Thawra
URUGUAY: Continuing Coverage on the First Homophobia-free Health Service in Country
180.com reported on 7 July that the “Ciudad Vieja” public health centre in Montevideo had been inaugurated as the first service in Uruguay whose health professionals have been trained to avoid discriminatory practices that may hinder the health rights of lesbian, gay, trans, bisexual and intersex persons (LGTIB). The initiative is the result of the cooperation between the Republic University, Ministry of Health, UNFPA, ASSE and the civil society organization Ovejas Negras (in Spanish, “Black Sheeps”). Valeria Ramos, UNFPA Uruguay sexual and reproductive health officer, explained that, over several months, health professionals have been trained and the centre has been adapted to understand the different sexual and reproductive needs of all users. Moreover, she emphasized that this not an specialized or a new health centre, but a health service that does not take for granted that all its users are heterosexuals since this can lead to a wrong diagnosis. Leticia Rieppi, from the Ministry of Public Health, affirmed that several other health centers in the country have already showed their interest in following a similar training and adaptation process. Read in Spanish: 180
JAMAICA: Third of Youth in LAC Live in Poverty
The Jamaica Observer on 7 July reported on the release of a study entitled, "Investing in Latin America and the Caribbean Youth: A Right and Inclusion Imperative." The report was presented by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean and UNFPA. "According to the document, in 2009, 'the poverty and wretched poverty incidence' among young people between the ages of 15 and 29 in the region amounted to 30.3 per cent and 10.1 per cent, respectively. This group, together with children under 15 years old, is the most vulnerable to poverty in Latin America," said the report. Read in English: Jamaica Observer
YEMEN: Safe Delivery Project Discussed
The Yemen News Agency reported on 7 July that Yemen and UNFPA discussed possible aid for the country's safe delivery project. UNFPA Representative, Marc Vandenberghe, expressed satisfaction of the project's outcomes, asserting the continuation of cooperation with the ministry in the 2012-2013 program round. Read in English: Yemen News Agency
OMAN: UNFPA to Participate in Tourism Festival
The Oman Daily Observer on 7 July reported that the UNFPA GCC area office in Muscat will participate in the Salalah Tourism Festival, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH) HIV section, and the MoH National Committee for Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances, along with participants from the Y-PEER Oman and Y-PEER Bahrain networks. According to a UNFPA release, “This participation is set to be the biggest and most exciting one yet, raising awareness not only in the core mandate of the UNFPA — Reproductive health for all, but also issues related to birth spacing, HIV and the growing population.” Read in English: Oman Daily Observer
INDIA: Family Planning Programme Requires Overhaul
The Deccan Herald on 7 July reported that the country's family planning programmed needs to prioritise reversible methods of contraception according to UNFPA Representative Frederika Meijer. Read in English: Deccan Herald