Equatorial Guinea Reduces Maternal Mortality

Nation to Reach WHO Millennium Development Goals

MALABO, Equatorial Guinea, Sept. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Equatorial Guinea has significantly reduced maternal mortality across the country, according to a report by the Regional Bureau for Africa of the World Health Organization (WHO). President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has heavily invested in public health in Equatorial Guinea as part of the government-wide effort to meet the goals of the Horizon 2020 development program.

"Equatorial Guinea is among the seven countries that are on track to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to reduce maternal mortality," said Regional Director for Africa of the World Health Organization, Luis Sambo, in the 61st Session of Ministers of Health held in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast, on September 1.

Mr. Sambo expressed how 46 countries in the African continent still experience difficulties in meeting the Millennium Development Goals and stated that "Only seven of them are able to achieve these objectives with regard to child health." He continued to say that Equatorial Guinea is one of the two countries on track to reach the Millennium Development Goals on maternal mortality.

Equatorial Guinea has also decreased the prevalence of the malaria parasite in children by 57% in just four years and has increased the number of children protected by bed nets or indoor spraying of insecticides. The government has donated $1.5 million and a headquarters facility to the World Health Organization (WHO) to support research for global health. It has also provided technical assistance to the local United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to improve the effectiveness of its Assistance Program as well as the implementation of a host of health programs geared towards improving the health of Equatorial Guineans.

About Equatorial Guinea
The Republic of Equatorial Guinea (Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial) is the only Spanish-speaking country in Africa, and one of the smallest nations on the continent. In the late-1990s, American companies helped discover the country's oil and natural gas resources, which only within the last five years began contributing to the global energy supply. Equatorial Guinea is now working to serve as a pillar of stability and security in its region of West Central Africa. The country hosted the 2011 Summit of the African Union. For more information, visit http://www.guineaecuatorialpress.com.

SOURCE Republic of Equatorial Guinea

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