Accra, 26 July 2008 -- Dr Joaquim Saweka, the WHO Representative to Ghana, has re-affirmed the Organization's commitment and support for the survival of children in the country. Dr Saweka observed that though interventions such as promotion of exclusive breastfeeding, appropriate complementary feeding, micronutrient supplementation with vitamin A, use of iodized salt and other strategies to reduce the burden of malaria during pregnancy are widely available, there is still the challenge of making these services accessible to all children in the country as expected.

These were contained in an address read on his behalf by Stanley Diamenu, the EPI Focal Point, at the national launch of the 5th Child Health Promotion Week at Karaga in the Northern Region of Ghana under the theme 'Good nutrition: A key to child growth and development'.

Ghana is one of the 36 developing countries in which over 30% of children less than 5 years are stunted.

The WHO Representative said the 2008 child health week should be another unique opportunity for all stakeholders to work together to ensure that all children receive basic health services such as immunization, vitamin A supplementation and growth monitoring to enhance improved nutritional status and their general survival. He added that WHO has been working, and will continue to work with Government and other partners on various strategies such as IMCI, RED, ITN distribution, young and infant feeding and the HIRD approaches to accelerate child survival interventions to all mothers and children in the country.

Launching the program on behalf of the Minister of Health at a heavily crowded durbar of the Chiefs and people at Karaga, the Director General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) Dr Elias Sory called on the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to include fruits and vegetables in the School Feeding Programme being implemented. Other speakers at the function include the National Child Co-ordinator and representatives of UNICEF and the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs. The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Iddris, chaired the function. The District Chief Executive delivered the welcome address.

Earlier, the District Chief Executive of Karaga led the Northern Regional Minister and other invited guests to pay courtesy call on the chief of Karaga at his palace.

For more information please contact:

Mr Stanley Diamenu, EPI NPO
WHO Country Office
29 Volta Street
Airport residential Area, Accra
Telephone: 00 233 21 763018/9 Fax: 00 233 21 763920

Ms. Sophia Twum-Barima
Health Information and Promotion Officer
WHO Country Office, Accra