Lahore – The Punjab Health Department and UNICEF signed a two-year work plan 2011-12 worth $17.72 million on Saturday. The work plan is based on the agreement between the federal government and UNICEF while its main focus is to address the key issues related to timely achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) particularly those related to child and maternal health and nutrition.
Punjab Health Secretary Fawad Hassan Fawad said that the main objectives of the work plan would include strengthening the immunisation programme including polio eradication, provision of basic and comprehensive maternal and child health care, including essential and emergency new-born care, 24/7 emergency obstetric care, integrated management of neonatal and childhood illnesses, prevention of parent to child transmission of HIV etc, prevention and treatment of maternal and child malnutrition, including community management of acute malnutrition, infant and young child feeding and programmes and prevention of micronutrient deficiencies, conduction of mother child health weeks twice in a year in all districts of Punjab, awareness raising, health education and social mobilisation for active involvement and participation of communities in all programmes and activities being organised to improve their health status, strengthening of monitoring and evaluation systems, including district health information system, LHW management information system and surveillance systems, evidence-based planning and appropriate use of resources based on internationally-recognised models to meet the MDGs on health.
