PNG not adequately meeting MDGs – UNICEF #PNG_FAILS_TO_MEET_UNICEF_GOALS By Freddy Mou, Sep 29, 2014. PNG Loop Papua New Guinea will soon be the sixth highest growing economy in the world, yet it is falling short of of meeting its Millennium Development Goals, particularly in the areas of education, nutrition, water and sanitation, Unicef has revealed. Assistant General Secretary to the United Nations and UNICEF Deputy Executive Director, Ms. Yoka Brandt said the Government has made progress to move the agenda but needs to do more innovatively so that the benefits of economic growth and development are felt by all, especially those hardest to reach. She said investments in the first 1000 days of a child’s life from conception up to two years was critical as this period is a critical window of opportunity to directly impact a child’s cognitive and nutritional health. Highlighting malnutrition as a silent emergency in PNG where close to half the children have stunted growth, Ms Brandt appealed for cross sectoral support to address the situation which not only limited children’s growth outcomes but also their future learning and income earning potential. “Malnutrition cannot be addressed only by the health sector. All concerned sectors should allocate resources to their respective nutrition sector interventions. It is essential to put in place the necessary conditions to detect and treat severe malnutrition cases as quickly as possible,” Ms. Brandt emphasized. Children who suffer from malnutrition are likely to die of treatable diseases like diarrhoea and chest infections. A child’s physical growth and mental development can become permanently impaired and in severe cases, the child can die if not treated. Ms Brandt visited the country recently and launched the End Violence Against Children campaign with partners from the Government and civil society in Goroka.
Posted on: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 23:20:35 +0000
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