November 14, 2001

U.S. SIGNS $10 MILLION AGREEMENT WITH ROMANIA
ON FAMILY HEALTH

 

The United States Ambassador to Romania, Michael Guest, and the Romanian Minister of Health and Family, Dr. Daniela Bartos, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding to launch a program called the Romanian Family Health Initiative, to run between now and 2006. The USD $10 million initiative is designed to improve the reproductive health of the Romanian population.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), an agency of the U.S. Government, will, through this initiative, join with the Romanian Ministry of Health and Family, to achieve the Ministry's reproductive health strategy. The John Snow organization, a leading U.S. public health management company, has been funded to implement the Initiative.

During the signing ceremony, U.S. Ambassador Guest highlighted the continued strong commitment of the U.S. to improving the Romanian health services. Since the early 1990's, USAID has provided nearly USD $35 million in assistance to improve the healthcare system. In addition, the U.S. Government contribution has attracted millions of dollars in additional humanitarian assistance, and the volunteer efforts of hundreds of American health professionals.

Minister Bartos, commenting on the value of this program, stated, "We are delighted that the U.S. Government will assist in the implementation of our reproductive health priorities through this Initiative. By expanding reproductive health services to the family doctors' offices, we expect to see a reduction in maternal and infant mortality, abortions, and in sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV/AIDS. The Initiative will also increase knowledge of reproductive health, screening for breast and cervical cancer, and the prevention of STDs and HIV/AIDS."

The U.S. Ambassador emphasized that "Good health is all about having access to services and making informed decisions. We are optimistic that this Initiative will provide Romanians with better information and an improved quality of services to achieve good health."

The Minister of Health and Family added that, "We are convinced of the importance of this Initiative as a model of successful collaboration of the Ministry of Health and Family with other governmental and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) involved in reproductive health issues, and USAID."

The Initiative aims to accomplish specific components of the soon-to-be-completed Ministry of Health and Family Reproductive Health Strategy, specifically by enhancing primary care, through efficient and quality reproductive health services, and by promoting the use of those services by informed citizens. The Strategy is being developed with the participation of key health officials and physicians, at both the national and judet level, as well as with several NGOs, in order to better meet the needs of the population.

NOTE FOR THE PRESS: For further information call Roxana Dascalu, Information Specialist & Outreach Coordinator, at 335-5806, ext. 193.