Midterm Review of Health and Nutrition Sector 22 – 23 June 2009, Baghdad

UN Agencies FAO, IOM, UNAMI, UNDP, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNIDO, UNIFEM, UNOCHA, UNOPS, WFP, WHO. NGOs (National/International) Life, ICNC, JBIC, NCCI, PU, MSF, MedChild, Mercy Hands, IMC, MdM, IRD, Oxfam, ACTED, People In Need, ICRC, Relief International, Mercy Corps, INTERSOS Chaired by WHO Line Ministries Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Higher Education, Ministry of Planning and Development Cooperation, Ministry of Displacement and Migration, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Youth and Sport, Ministry of Industry and Minerals Partnerships and Coordination

National priority or goals (NDS ) Goal 6: Target (8): Full access to water and health services for all people ICI Targets 4.4. Human Development and Human Security Delivering basic services : Improve health and nutrition of all Iraqis as a cornerstone of welfare and economic development/health. UN Assistance Strategy To contribute to the achievement of the goals defined in the National Development Strategy (NDS), International Compact with Iraq (ICI) benchmarks, and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Health and Nutrition Sector

Millennium Development Goals Directly MDG 1 Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger MDG 4 Reduce Child Mortality MDG 5 Improve Maternal Health MDG 6 Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Other Diseases MDG 8 Develop Global Partnership for Development – Access to Essential Medicines Indirectly MDG 3Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women UN Assistance Strategy (cont.)

1.Supported Primary Health Care Approach which has been endorsed by Iraqi cabinet as the cornerstone to strengthen Iraqi Health Care System. 2.Scaled up Child and Maternal Health as evidenced in 2008 infant coverage of Measles 94%, DPT3 82% (of target) and Emergency Obstetric Care with special focus on vulnerable women. 3.Supported reconstruction and development efforts through multi-programmatic projects with substantive capacity building achievements including 30% women. Sectoral Achievements and Contributions

4.Supported national capacity for Emergency Response and Preparedness including response to epidemics (Cholera), drug stock-outs (US$ 2.5 million) and emergency assistance to vulnerable population including women (720,000 people in remote areas) 5.Enhanced Community Mobilization under programs such as Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), Women Health Volunteers (WHV) for Maternal and Child Health & improved environment. Sectoral Achievements and Contributions (cont.)

6.Supported the initiation of Health System Reform by MOH, including development of Basic Health Service Package, National Health Account, Health System Financing, Health Manage- ment Information System (HMIS) and Governance in a gender sensitive manner. 6.Supported women employment by ensuring that at least 20% of job opportunities are devoted to women. Sectoral Achievements and Contributions (cont.)

Lessons Learned 1.Social Mobilization during Polio National Immunization Days (PNIDs) and Mop Up House to House campaigns are proven to be feasible and effective means in improving program coverage and building peace through health interventions (5 million children under five reached during the PNIDs). 2.The increased UN presence at field level has strengthened better cooperation with national counterparts.

3.Improved utilization of Information Technology (videoconferencing, internet, etc.) and use of local contractors allowed improved project implementation, security risk mitigation and better accessibility to remote areas where security is still a risk for international UN staff. 4.The UN Iraq Coordination Structure Sector Outcome Teams (SOTs) has enhanced coordination, information sharing and partnership among the UN agencies, collaboration among UN Country Team (UNCT sectors, NGOs, national counterparts and donors involved in health issues in Iraq. 5.The turnover of national staff and the limited capacity of national institutions has affected in many cases project implementation and reduced absorption capacity of the available resources. Lessons Learned (cont.)

Key Recommendations 1.Encourage and support more UN presence and Technical Assistance at field level. 2.Enhance and support coordination and partnership between HNSOT and GoI through reactivation of Health and Nutrition working group led by MOH. 3.Capacity building for Human Resources for Health should be prioritized in future plans at institutional, programs and services delivery levels with increased technical assistance to GOI on developing HR development plan.

6. Information and analysis of vulnerability should be enhanced to support evidence-based policy and targeted interventions. Key Recommendations (cont.) 4.Community mobilization, participation & decision making should be integral part of public health programs as demonstrated in EPI & MCH and health education programs 5.The health & nutrition sector to be at the heart of the 5 Year National Development Planning process given the impact of health on development.

THANK YOU TOGETHER FOR BETTER HEALTH FOR IRAQ