18 Oct 2010

PNG and Solomons to benefit from UN strategy to improve women's and children's health

6:10 am on 18 October 2010

Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands are expected to benefit from the United Nations' global strategy to improve women's and children's health.

The head of International Planned Parenthood Federation, Dr Gill Greer, says the UN has developed the new plan with donor governments and NGOs after the recent review of progress on the Millennium Development Goals.

She says billions of dollars has been pledged to target maternal health, family planning and reproductive health, in forty-nine of the world's poorest countries.

"Two of those countries are in the Pacific, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. But other Pacific countries do appear on lists of priorities. And hopefully this will help to focus more attention of global donors on the Pacific."