UNDP South Africa

New York, 22 September 2010.- With only five years left to wrap up the United Nations' Millenium Development goals UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced a 40-billion-US-dollar healthcare plan for women and children. The UN launched its 15-year plan in 2000 with eight goals that include plans to end extreme poverty hunger and disease. But progress has not been quick enough to reach the expected targets and goals 4 and 5 to reduce child mortality and improve maternal health are in danger of being left unfulfilled. The 40 billion dollars secured from governments, the private sector, philanthropic groups and international organizations are new funds to address those goals. According to Secretary-General Ban the investment will have a multiplier effect that could improve the remaining goals. The program will improve family planning services access to basic health care and the pool of trained health care professionals.