CONTINUING COVERAGE OF UNFPA MEETING ON SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH COMMMODITY SECURITY
Africa: Afrique en Ligne reported on 9 September that UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin, at a meeting on sexual and reproductive health commodity, stated voluntary family planning and a steady supply of contraceptives was a national priority for saving women’s lives. UNFPA Spokesperson Abubakar Dungus is quoted in the articles saying that, “worldwide, at least 200 million women want to use safe and effective family planning methods but are unable to do so.” Adding that, “In 2007, UNFPA launched a global programme to help countries adopt predictable and planned methods of securing reproductive health supplies and ensuring their use. With more than US$300 million mobilized so far, the initiative has helped many of the neediest countries improve their reproductive health supplies.” Read in English: Afrique en Ligne
Nigeria: This Day reported on 8 September on the gathering at the United Nations headquarters of First Ladies, ministers and development experts to discuss their challenges and successes in maternal and reproductive health commodity security. The article stated that, “In 2001, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) launched a global programme to help countries adopt predictable and planned methods of securing reproductive health supplies and ensuring their use. With more than $300 million mobilised so far, the initiative has helped many of the neediest countries improve their supplies. It also encouraged governments to view commodity security as an essential prerequisite in their efforts to improve the sexual and reproductive health of their populations.”
Sierra Leone: Cocorioko reported on 8 September that Minister of Health and Sanitation, Mrs. Zainab Bangura was interviewed at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) High-Level Meeting on Sexual and Reproductive Health Commodity. In her interview she highlighted some health care programmes implemented by President Ernest Bai Koroma and outlined some of the distribution challenges she faced. Mrs. Bangura thank UNFPA for all their support. Read in English: Cocorioko
The Patriotic Vanguard reported on 9 September on the UN meeting on reproductive health whose goals, according to UNFPA officials, were to “find ways to bridge the gaps in essential supplies to save the lives and health of millions of women in developing countries.” Read in English: The Patriotic Vanguard