Eritrea Achieves Three of UN Development Goals Ahead of 2015 Deadline

Development News
Eritrea is one of few developing countries on-track to meet most of the MDGs
Eritrea is one of few developing countries on-track to meet most of the MDGs

By Madote,

During a speech made in connection with the observance of United Nations Day in Asmara, Amna Nur-Hussein, the Minister of Health stated Eritrea has achieved three of the eight UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) ahead the 2015 target date.

The three MDGs Eritrea has achieved are all health-related: reducing infant child mortality by two-thirds (MDG 4); improve maternal health (MDG 5); and combating HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases (MDG 6).

Speaking at the occasion, Christine N. Umutoni, the UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Eritrea, lauded the country’s achievements in the health sector and sees it as a model for other nations to follow.

HIV prevalence rate in Eritrea below one percent while most African countries have rates above 10%,” She said. “Eritrea needs to give Africa and the rest of the world lessons on how these successes were achieved.”

According to the World Health Organization, Eritrea has declined malaria infections by 90%; is on track to reduce maternal mortality by 75%; declined HIV/AIDs prevalence by 49% to 0.8%; improved access to potable water to 85% and has nearly doubled its adult literacy rates to 80%.

Part of Eritrea’s early success can be attributed to its partners. Among the most notable is Dr. Lisa Materson, the former co-host from the American TV show “The Doctors”, who opened an OBGYN residency in the country.

https://twitter.com/drLisaM/statuses/384717717602725889
https://twitter.com/drLisaM/statuses/384717717602725889

The MDGs are a comprehensive framework endorsed by 189 countries at the UN Millennium Summit in September of 2000. They were introduced as a road map for developing nations to reduce poverty, hunger, ill-health, improving education, and environmental sustainability by December 31, 2015.

Eritrea Millennium Development Goals Progress
MDG 1 Eradicate Extreme Hunger and Poverty Off Track       
MDG 2 Achieve Universal Primary Education On Track     
MDG 3 Promote Gender Equality & Empower Women On Track     
MDG 4 Reduce Child Mortality  Achieved    
MDG 5 Improve Maternal Health Achieved   
MDG 6 Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria & other Disease Achieved    
MDG 7 Ensure Environmental Sustainability On Track    
MDG 8 Develop a Global Partnership for Development On Track     

Eritrea is on track to reach seven of eight MDGs by December 31, 2015

 

Regional HIV/AIDS Prevalence rate - Eritrea stands at 0.8%
Regional HIV/AIDS Prevalence rate – Eritrea stands at 0.8%
Malaria deaths per 1000 population declined by 90%
Malaria deaths per 1000 population declined by 90%
Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP3) immunization coverage in East Africa
Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP3) immunization coverage in East Africa
Access to potable water - Eritrea sits at 85%
Access to potable water – Eritrea sits at 85%

(Charts source: Eritrea – Immunization, Vaccination, and Malaria Control: Past, Present, and Future )
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