Morocco to integrate reproductive health in new aid environment

A series of priority measures to integrate reproductive health in the new aid environment has been developed as part of the health policy in Morocco, Health Minister, Yasmina Baddou, said here Monday.

   The government hopes to cut mother and child mortality rate, strengthen family planning programs, fight STDs and AIDS, she said at the opening of a regional workshop on reproductive health and the new aid environment.

   The early diagnosis of uterine and breast cancer and opening hospital units to take care of women victims of violence, are also among the main actions to be implemented in this regard, Baddou added.

   The Ministry's strategy for 2008-2012 aims to overhaul the sector, provide more access to health services and set up a National Action Plan focusing on the health of the mother and the child.

   The director of the regional office of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for Arab States, Hafedh Chekir said the UN body plans, under the new aid environment, to work with its partners to integrate reproductive health in development priorities.

   The quality of health services and the availability of medicines should be a priority in the programs of reproductive health, he added.

MAP