The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has handed over 1,000 megaphones to the National Department of Health (NDoH) and Provincial Health Authorities to support community outreach and promote maternal and child health in Papua New Guinea.
During a ceremony in Port Moresby on Friday, UNICEF Representative Dr Veera Mendonca said the megaphones are intended to support efforts in strengthening community mobilisation, increasing immunisation coverage, and enhancing health promotion activities.
Dr Mendonca said they will help deliver timely, accurate, and culturally appropriate health education during community outreach activities.
“While we have made commendable progress in reducing maternal mortality from a high of 733 per 100,000 in 2006 to 171 today, we must remember that this still means that at least one woman dies every day due to complications from childbirth,” she said.
Dr, Mendonca added that this initiative is part of UNICEF’s broaderhealth support to the Government of PNG.
She also mentioned that in collaboration with key partners, UNICEF is supporting NDoH to scale up critical public health interventions, including the elimination of Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus (MNTE).
