Improving the health of mothers, newborns and children and reducing the number of preventable deaths are top priorities for Canada. During the 68th session of the UN General Assembly in 2013, Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper co-hosted a high-level meeting on women's and children's health, identifying maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) as Canada's "flagship development priority." In 2010, as part of its G-8 presidency, Canada launched a global effort - the Muskoka Initiative - to mobilize global action to reduce maternal mortality and improve the health of mothers and children in the world's poorest countries.

Three canadian parliamentarians, Ms Wai Young, Mr Peter Goldring, and Mr François Pilon, visited the WHO Country Office for Ethiopia on 26 August to see the impact of Canada’s investment on health in Ethiopia, more specifically on immunization and nutrition. The delegation was welcomed by the Dr Pierre M'Pele-Kilebou, who acknoledged the excellent collaboration between the Government of Canada and the WHO in the African region. The delegates were then briefed on the key activities and achievements of the Expanded Programme on Immunization and the Accelerating Nutrition Improvements in Sub-Saharan Africa (ANI) project, which is funded by Canada, before the team headed for a site visit to Adisalem health centre in Oromia region.

At Adisalem health centre, Ejere woreda, Oromia region, the Canadian delegation witnessed the impact of EPI services on maternal and child health. They learned about the different services provided at the health centred, discussed challenges and opportunities with the health workers, and saw children receiving lifesaving vaccines as part of the routine immunization programme.

The Expanded Programme on Immunization aims for universal access to all relevant vaccines for all at risk. The programme’s goal is to expand the targeted groups to include older children, adolescents and adults and work in synergy with other public health programmes in order to control disease and achieve better health for all populations. The Accelerating Nutrition Improvements in Sub-Saharan Africa (ANI) project aims to assist Sub-Saharan African countries to strengthen nutrition surveillance systems and their capacities to deliver direct evidence-based nutrition interventions.

For more information, please contact Ms Viivi Erkkila, Communication, Partnership and Resource Mobilization Officer, WHO Ethiopia, email: erkkilav [at] who.int (erkkilav[at]who[dot]int)

PHOTOS: WHO Ethiopia/ Viivi Erkkila