Mali stands for child health during the Global Week of Action this May

By: Francine Obura; World Vision Mali

World Vision Mali held their second Child Health Now Global Week of Action campaign from 1st to 9th May, 2014. The campaign had two key objectives: highlighting the government’s commitments and the gaps with regards to Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5, as well as sensitising the Malian population on maternal, newborn and child mortality. To address the issue, the campaign combined several advocacy activities and popular mobilizations before and during the global week of action.

Train, educate and motivate members of parliament

One of World Vision Mali’s "Child Health Now" campaign key objectives is to work to increase the Mali health budget up to 15% in collaboration with parliamentarians in the National Assembly. To that end, World Vision Mali initiated advocacy actions with partners and stakeholders that led to the establishment in the National Assembly of a working group for the implementation of Kampala 2012 Inter-Parliamentary Union resolutions with regard to maternal, newborn and child health as well as the ratification of the Abuja Declaration. Read the French news article on the day of advocacy with the National Assembly

Inform and engage the youth

The campaign’s launch ceremony on May 1st was held with the Children's Parliament, the National Director of Health, members of parliament and experts in obstetrics in attendance to assist with educating the youth about the campaign theme. The meeting also aimed to equip them to assist in the search for sustainable solutions for the reduction of maternal, newborn and child mortality in Mali. The Children's Parliament welcomed World Vision’s initiative which helped them better understand their rights and consolidate their mission to defend the interests of children.

Improve health services through the influence of religious leaders

As a partner of World Vision Mali for several years, the National Inter-Faith Network for Child Well-being (RENIBE) reiterated the campaign key message “5 years should not be the lifetime of a child”. Both Christian and Muslim religious leaders attended a workshop to better appreciate their role and responsibility in the fight for the reduction of maternal, newborn and child mortality. According to RENIBE President, El Hadj Mahamadou Traoré, “religious leaders cannot in any circumstances remain on the sidelines in this fight. It is their responsibility to pass on information regarding the fight against maternal, newborn and child mortality in Mosques and Churches and advocate for a better practice in health facilities to ensure quality services.” Read the French news article on the exchange meeting with religious leaders; watch the video of El Hadj Mahamadou Traoré

Partner with the Government

During the Global Week of Action, children, women, men and World Vision’s partners signed a petition to demonstrate their commitment to fight for the reduction of maternal, newborn and child mortality. Lala Wangara, President of the Children's Parliament and Chance Briggs, National Director of World Vision handed over the document to the Minister of Health and Public Hygiene , Mr Ousmane Koné, during an audience granted by the Minister. The petition will be used during the General Assembly of the United Nations in Geneva to pass on the voice of Malians requesting for the campaign topic to be taken in account in the Development Goals post 2015. During a preliminary audience in March with the health Minister, World Vision donated to the National Programme for the Fight against Malaria medicine worth CFA 265 million. The donation consisted of essential drugs and rapid diagnostic tests for malaria, as part of World Vision’s strategy to protect mothers and children against infections and diseases. Read the French press article on the fight against malaria

Involve women

The Coordination of Women's Associations and NGOs (CAFO) did not remain on the sidelines of the campaign. By signing the petition, officials of CAFO committed to support World Vision Mali in its mission to improve child well-being in Mali. During an exchange workshop, the President of CAFO, Traoré Oumou Touré, reaffirmed the importance of such a campaign. CAFO intends to take action for a more equitable distribution of midwives throughout the Malian territory as this would provide significant support to pregnant women and newborns in the most remote villages. At present, more than 68% of midwives in the country are based in Bamako. Read the newspaper article about the lack of midwives in the regions.

Increase population’s participation

Throughout the Global Week of Action, World Vision Mali brought together men, women, children, civil society, government, health actors and all its partners for several advocacy, discussion and awareness actions. More than 1,000 people were mobilized for the reduction of maternal, newborn and child mortality. In Mali, one child out of 10 dies before the age of five and maternal mortality rate is 464 /100, 000 live births. This situation is alarming yet preventable.

The campaign is part of World Vision Mali’s broader advocacy strategy which consists of informing and empowering populations so that they can participate in public debates, ensure that their voice counts in decision-making and take ownership to drive their own sustainable development together with central and local authorities.

This edition ended on a musical note with a free music show at the “Café des Arts” of the Culture Center in Bamako. The event brought together more than 500 spectators and many host artists including Nafi Diabaté, Kouyaté Tomany , Bozola Sanogo . These ambassadors of the campaign united their voices and music to pass the “Survive 5” message to the authorities, women, men, families.

Call of World Vision Mali’s Global Week of Action

1. All children regardless of where they live to have access to nutritious food and essential health services.
2. Government to use its influence to ensure that health and nutrition of the most vulnerable children in the world are at the heart of the development goals post 2015.
3. Government to fulfill the  promises made in order to improve maternal and child health
4. Government to increase the national health budget up to 15%
5. Endorse the Action Plan: Every Woman Every newborn; revise national plans focusing on newborns and ensure that they are fully funded and implemented

They said during the campaign …

Mrs. Binta Keita, National Director of Health: ‘‘I encourage rural populations, especially women, to attend health centers more regularly in order to receive appropriate services. I congratulate and thank World Vision Mali for its field work specifically in the area of health’’.

Mrs. Keita Estelle Zoumou, Head of Department of Health and Social Development of the CAFO: '' This fight is ours and we must fully take part as mothers. When one gives life, she must preserve it. ''

Lala Wangara, President of the Children's Parliament: ‘‘Today, I'm 16 and I'm a teenage girl. Tomorrow, I'll be a wife and a mother. I feel concerned by the high rate of maternal, neonatal and child mortality. On behalf of all the girls in Mali, I say thank you to World Vision for initiating this campaign which reminds the entire world that we must take action from now so that the birth of children in our families will no longer be a tragedy.’’

Chance Briggs, National Director of World Vision Mali: ‘‘Child Health Now campaign activities are conducted jointly with the National Assembly, the Ministry of Health, and all health actors. They serve to point out the sector's difficulties, propose solutions to address them and find together ways for their sustainability. We are pleased to be a partner of the Government of Mali in the fight to improve maternal, newborn and child health.’’