UNFPA- Higher Ministry MOU co-Signed

DAMASCUS,(ST)_The Ministry of Higher Education and  the United Nations Fund for Population UNFPA on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)  provided for the implementation of the humanitarian plan for  2013 for  Ministry ‘s hospitals providing health care for women.

The Memorandum covers   obstetrics and gynecology  Damascus and Aleppo university hospitals  at a cost of US  $ 350 thousand  and a plan to be developed later for  Obstetrics and Gynecology  department at  al- Assad University Hospital in Lattakia .

Minister of Higher Education Dr. Mohamed Yehia said that according to the memorandum medical services and preventive and remedial related to reproductive health and care of women will be provided, noting UNFPA readiness  to rehabilitate  Damascus University obstetrics hospital.

UNFPA  Regional Director for Arab States Mohammed Abdul Ahad  said  finalizing the memorandum  aims at providing medical services for reproductive health and women, especially for those affected by the crisis by  ensuring  safe delivery conditions

He pointed that the UNFPA  was able to access during the previous period to 360 thousand women who needed reproductive health services and 150 thousand for  family planning services  beside other thousands who needed  psychological counseling as well as the implementation of many studies and research to improve health services.

UNFPA  Resident Representative in Syria Laila Bakr  noted importance of maintaining the good health indicators Syria had enjoyed  before the crisis , especially in regard  to reproductive health and  safe birth ,  through constructive cooperation between the two sides.

Noteworthy that this MOU came as a renewal of the previous one  from 2009- 2012.

T. Fateh