SURIGAO DEL NORTE -- To improve maternal and child health in the province, Gov. Sol Matugas signed recently a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to improve maternal and child health in the province.

The MOU is in collaboration with the Zuellig Family Foundation and the Coalition composed of Department of Health (DOH), League of Provinces of the Philippines, Ayala Foundation, Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, Philippine Business for Social Progress, Unang Yakap Foundation and United Nations Fund for Population Activities.

The MOU stipulated that Zuellig Family Foundation will provide technical and financial assistance to train health leaders at the barangay, municipal and provincial levels through modular courses for the application of innovative health programs and emerging best practices in public health.

In a breakfast conference held at the Philippine International Convention Center, Matugas announced her administration’s support to reduce maternal and infant mortality. The Coalition For Health presented their available support and initiatives to complement the local chief executives invited to create a collective impact.

Meanwhile, DOH Secretary Enrique Ona voiced the importance of the leadership and authority of the Provincial Governments in developing and supporting local health systems of its municipalities.

He stressed the critical role of the Local Chief Executive in addressing maternal and child health and in achieving the targets of the Millennium Development Goals.

The breakfast conference was a prelude to the “162 to 52 Summit” which was called by the Coalition for Health on the same day. The summit was attended by selected provinces, DOH officials, civil society organizations and foreign funding institutions. (Arturo M. Cruje/FEA/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

^{source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1721335421963}