Pakistan’s has a population of approximately 170 million. More than 430,000 under five and 298,000 neonatal deaths occur every year in Pakistan. 62 children under the age of 5 die every hour, which means one child dies every minute, often from preventable causes. The average annual rate of child mortality reduction is 1.8% and the asking rate to reduce child mortality by two-thirds by 2015 is 9.0%.
EVERY ONE is considered to be the most ambitious campaign ever initiated by Save the Children and aims to reach 50 million children in next five years. The campaign was formally launched on 17 April 2010 in the Prime Minister Secretariat, Islamabad. The Chief Guest was Prime Minister, Mr. Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani. The Ministry of Health, Government of Pakistan is a key institution for national health and its National Maternal, Newborn Care and Child Health Programme strives to meet MDG 4 and 5.
With that in mind, Save the Children formed a partnership with the Ministry of Health to support efforts to improve maternal and new born care and help the Government of Pakistan fulfill national and international commitments. In Pakistan the EVERY ONE Campaign aims to increase the availability and quality and access to maternal, newborn and child health and nutrition (MNCHN) services and ensure five million people have increased knowledge and awareness of the MNCHN issues that affect their children and families.
Prime Minister of Pakistan Syed Yousaf Raza GIllani formally launched the Campaign by registering his commitment through signatures. While delivering his speech to the audience, he declared EVERY ONE an innovative approach and a valuable initiative to support maternal and child health. He said, “EVERY ONE Campaign without any doubt is a valuable initiative and reflects the national and international sincerity, commitment and vigor to contribute to health and development in Pakistan”.
Highlights of the Launch:
• Prime Minister announces budgetary increase for health services in Pakistan
• Ministry of Health bonds partnership to strive for achieving MDG 4 and 5 in Pakistan
• Ms. Fouzia Gillani, Wife of Pakistan's PM joins hands with EVERY ONE as Patron in Chief of the Campaign
• Faakhir Memmood, the renowned singer of Pakistan nominated as Campaign Ambassador
• Sobia Nazir, the famous fashion designer of Pakistan holds the flag of EVERY ONE as Campaign Champion
For more information on the EVERY ONE Campaign in Pakistan please contact khuramg@sca.savethechildren.se