Family Health Program Officially Launched 

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2008 (Addis Ababa) – Today the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in partnership with Pathfinder International and John Snow, Inc. (JSI), launched the Integrated Family Health Program.  The new US $50 million dollar health program, which focuses on family planning and reproductive health, maternal, newborn and child health, will improve the lives of more than 43 million Ethiopians in the next five years.  The program will result in reduced population growth, improved maternal, newborn and child health; and reduced maternal, neonatal, and child mortality.

The Integrated Family Health Program plans to support Health Extension Workers and volunteers in 360 woredas of the Amhara, Tigray, Oromia and Southern Nations, Nationality and People’s Regions, as well as in pocket areas of Benishanguel–Gumuz Region.

His Excellency, the Federal Minister of Health Dr. Tedros Adhanom, and USAID/Ethiopia Mission Director Mr. Glenn E. Anders, delivered remarks at the event, which was held at the new office of Pathfinder International and JSI.  Program managers also presented speeches, emphasizing the need for collaboration among all stakeholders supporting the Health Sector Development Program III and the Health Extension Program. 

The main objectives of the new program are to improve health practices at the household and community level; improve availability and quality of health services, products and information; strengthen key elements of the health system; and encourage systematic program learning to inform policy and program investment.  The program will be crucial in realizing the National Accelerated Expansion of Primary Health Care goals and the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals in health that the Government of Ethiopia is committed to.

The Integrated Family Health Program is funded by the American people through USAID and will be run jointly by Pathfinder International and JSI, in partnership with the Consortium of Reproductive Health Associations (CORHA) and Academy for Educational Development (AED).  Program support at the grassroots level will be undertaken by local NGOs operating in the areas.

Pathfinder International and JSI both have extensive field level operations experience in Ethiopia and in implementing successful community health programs with a strong emphasis on building capacity and skills of local public and civil society institutions. The two organizations and their partners will build effective networks with wide-ranging health programs – supported by other donors and institutions – to ensure that national health goals are attainable and sustainable. The networking and collaboration will focus on strengthening the public health system and service delivery at the primary health care level. 

For further information, contact the Integrated Family Health Program at 011-681-8378 or tgiday@pathfind.org.