Other nations emulate Beyond Zero initiative, says UNFPA director

March 4, 2015/in First Lady, News, Press /by PSCU

By James Mwambai

NAIROBI, 4 Mar 2015 (PSCU) – Regional Director of United Nations
Population Fund Dr. Julitta Onabanjo has commended First Lady Margaret
Kenyatta for leading the nation in saving lives of women and children.

She said the Beyond Zero campaign is now a brand which has moved to
other nations taking similar progressive initiatives to reduce
maternal and child mortality.

“We have really been pleased to witness what you are doing. It is
amazing how much the campaign has galvanized counties through this
initiative,” she said.

Dr. Onabanjo was speaking when she paid a courtesy call on First Lady
Margaret Kenyatta at State House Nairobi this evening.

She said through the First Lady initiative, the UFPA has managed to
raise some funds to help alleviate serious challenges facing 15
counties with the highest burden of maternal deaths in Kenya.

“Having looked at the region and how you are handling the situation,
we are really excited. The initiative shows commitment and that this
is the story Kenya can tell,” she said.

First Lady expressed her gratitude to the Beyond Zero campaign saying its support has made it possible for the country to make
strides in ensuring better and quality health care for women and
children.

UNFPA has provided Kenya with support in population policies and programmes.

First Lady said she is running because of the urgency in saving lives
and also in meeting the deadline of the Millennium Development Goals
especially goal number 4 and 5 which propagate access to quality
reproductive health and reduction of maternal and child mortality.

Present were the UN Resident Co-ordinator Ms. Nardos Bekele Thamos and
Representative UNFPA Kenya Siddarth Chatterjee who commended the
Government for its efforts aimed at improving access to quality health
care.

Mr. Chatterjee said the fact that the Government is going to invest
over 2 billion US dollars over the next four years in the sector shows
its commitment in ending maternal and child mortality.