UNICEF highlights achievements of Nicaraguan government
NSCAG News |
on: Friday, 20 September 2019
Photo: Barricada The V sign stands for 'United in Victory'
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has recognised the achievements of the FSLN Government relating to the care of children in Nicaragua as a result of its successful economic and social policies.
According to a report by UNICEF, Nicaragua has improved the living conditions of children during the period 2009-2016, a period which saw poverty reduced by some 48.4%.
UNICEF also highlighted the reduction of the infant mortality rate to 12 per thousand live births and the neonatal one to 8 per thousand in Nicaragua by the end of 2018.
The report also pointed to the fact that maternal mortality was reduced in Nicaragua from 97 to 37.5 for every 100,000 live births from 2007 to 2016, thanks to the increase in the numbers of births attended in health centres and the attention by qualified personnel in addition to the increase in the number of maternal homes.
UNICEF also said that 'chronic malnutrition associated with poverty, inequality and inadequate food has been reduced in recent years frm 17.3 percent in 2006 to 12.8 percent in 2017'.
Under the presidency of Daniel Ortega, the number of Child Development centres, catering for 15,000 children under the age of 6, has also increased, from 63 in 2007 to 270 at the end of 2018.
UNICEF also pointed out that in the last five years, important advances have been made in primary and secondary education. Free access is guaranteed, coverage has been expanded and quality has been improved.
UNICEF has announced that it has begun a new cycle of cooperation with Nicaragua for the next five year period 2019-2023.
"The FSLN is not in power for power's sake but rather to make our children, and all of the Nicaraguan people, happy" - Domingo Perez, General Secretary, Nicaraguan public sector union UNE
