‘Neonatal, mother’s health top priority’
By Bushra Makhdoom

Islamabad—Government of Norway will assist the Mother and Neonatal Child Health (MNCH) Programme in Sindh province under Norway Pakistan Partnership Initiative (NPPI) for Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5 A high level meeting of stakeholders chaired by Secretary Health Mr. Khushnood Akhtar Lashari reviewed the draft proposal here today.
Representatives of the Ministries of Finance and Economic Affairs, Planning Commission, Sindh Government, UNICEF and senior officials of the Ministry of Health attended the meeting.
This proposal of about US$ 41 million Norwegian assistance for the period 2007-2011 is based on commitments made by the President of Pakistan and the Prime Minister of Norway to implement a country partnership programme. This flexible funding will enable implementation of MNCH Programme and shall utilize innovative techniques using results based disbursements.
Secretary Health Mr. Khushnood Akhtar Lashari in his remarks said that neonatal and mother’s health is one of the top priorities of Pakistan’s National Health Policy. Through our MNCH Programme, said Mr. Lashari, Pakistan would be able to reduce maternal and infant mortality and would ultimately achieve MDGs. Stakeholders should expedite their efforts to present final proposal for NPPI for MDG 4 & 5 by end October 2007, he emphasized.