UNFPA Deputy Executive Director Kunio Waki visited Ethiopia in the end of March 2006 to chair a workshop on the Rights of People Living with HIV to Sexual and Reproductive Health , co-convened by Engender Health/UNFPA/WHO in collaboration with ICW, IPPF, GI and UNAIDS.
The aim of the workshop was to contribute to the development of policy and programmatic guidance for health systems and others to ensure the reproductive rights and choices of People Living with HIV/AIDS are protected and promoted. The workshop deliberated on challenges and opportunities in policies and programmes to support sexual and reproductive health of People living with HIV/AIDS; reviewed and discussed content of a guidance document including principles, policies and programmatic actions and finally; suggested the use of the guidance document for different groups and settings.
During his visit in the country, Mr. Waki met with Government of Ethiopia officials including the Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MoFED) and the Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. In line with priorities of the Health Sector Development Programme (HSDPIII) in reducing maternal mortality through strengthening of referral health centres, Mr. Waki participated in a handing-over ceremony of ambulances to the Ministry of Health in the presence of H.E. Dr. Tewdros Adhanom, Minister of Health.
Mr. Waki also met with close partners of UNFPA Ethiopia and visited UNFPA supported projects in the country, including the Fistula Hospital in Addis Ababa and Family Guidande Association Ethiopia.
Caption: UNFPA Deputy Executive Director Kunio Waki (second from the left), Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and UNFPA Ethiopia Representative Monique Rakotomalala.
