“Access to appropriate health services should be a fundamental human right and it is a vital indicator of a modern and socially-developed country. A great majority of maternal mortality cases are based on preventable causes. And they should no longer stay as ‘silent deaths’.”

With the support of the EU, the Ministry of Health has launched a campaign entitled “Bebeğim sağolsun” (Long Live My Baby) in order to reduce the ratio of maternal and neonatal mortalities. Started on Wednesday, 3 October 2007 and promoted with a press conference at Divan Hotel, the Campaign will last for 1,5 months. In the framework of the campaign, the objective is to raise awareness amongst women of 15–49 age group, their spouses, families and next-of-kin about reducing maternal and neonatal mortality ratios.

The work embarked on in the scope of Safe Motherhood and Emergency Obstetric Care Project, one of the main pillars of Reproductive Health Programme in Turkey which has been implemented between 2003-2007 by the Health Ministry of the Republic of Turkey with the financial support of the EU, will be completed by the end of 2007 pursuant to the development of basic models, training programmes and investments in target and pilot cities with high level of maternal-neonatal mortality ratios. Launched for the purpose of contributing to the reduction of maternal and neonatal mortality rates in Turkey, the Campaign “Bebeğim Sağ Olsun” targets at raising public awareness by way of drawing attention to the importance of ante-natal, pregnancy, natal and post-natal medical examinations as well as to the critical health measures. In the framework of the campaign, the Ministry is organising training for trainers at first level health institutions, for the improvement of services and equipment, and providing a free-of-charge medical check and information about care services. The campaign “Bebeğim Sağ Olsun” aims at raising awareness among beneficiaries of health services as well as among relevant bodies, the private sector and NGOs so as to launch new activities that will cause a change behaviours in the society, and to ensure sustainability through new projects.

The campaign will continue throughout Turkey for a period of 1.5 months. Mobile vehicles will pay visits to particular 15 cities, which are attached specific importance by the Ministry of Health. Through a press conference to be organised in İstanbul, the outcomes of and experiences acquired through the campaign will be shared. The 15 specific cities are: İstanbul, İzmir, Ankara, Kayseri, Mersin, Şanlıurfa, Diyarbakır, Siirt, Van, Ağrı, Kars, Artvin, Erzurum, Muş, Elazığ.

For information Emel Kutluca
Bebeğim Sağ Olsun Campaign
Media Expert

Tel: 0216 544 94 00
Direct Line: 0216 544 94 63
Gsm: 0532 433 75 36 – 0533 292 21 59
e-mail: emel.k@excel.com.tr

http://www.bebegimsagolsun.org