Two Flanders-funded projects were an important focus of a visit to Mozambique earlier this week by the General Representative of Flanders in Southern Africa, Dr. Geraldine Reymenants, accompanied by Deputy General Representative of Flanders in Mozambique, Kaat Matthys. On Monday 11 July they attended the launch of a new project funded by the Government of Flanders. The project "Enhancing the Quality of Midwifery Workforce in Mozambique – Phase II" will be implemented by UNFPA, in partnership with WHO, the Institute of Health Sciences (ICS) of Infulene, the Higher Institute of Health Sciences of Maputo (ISCISA), the Ministry of Health (MISAU), Maputo City Health Directorate and the Cuban Cooperation.

Poor quality training for health staff contributes to high maternal and neonatal mortality as well as other key indicators identified by the Ministry of Health. The UNFPA-implemented project aims to increase quality sexual and reproductive health services by means of a highly qualified midwifery workforce. Phase 1 was successfully implemented in the province of Tete; phase II will focus on the peri-urban area of Maputo, with an approach based on lessons learned in Tete, including successful leveraging of South-South cooperation essential for accelerating impact on the development of adapted capacity.

The second project, visited on 12 July, was the Inguissa Project (Inguissa = Hear: Health, Education and Adolescent Rights) in Machava district, Maputo Province. Implemented by the Ariel Glaser Foundation, the project aims to increase access to sexual and reproductive health services for adolescents.

The visit focused on two locations: Machava Secondary School and Machava Health Facility no 2, including the Mobile Clinic outside the school which, in conjunction with awareness raising campaigns, gives youth from the community, including more vulnerable and non-school going youth, access to quality sexual and reproductive health services. The delegation also visited the SAAJ, an entity providing integrated services (including mental health services) so that adolescents do not need a referral.

The Director of the Machava Secondary School, which has over 14.000 learners, testified to the positive effect of this project, as confirmed by the low number of teenage pregnancies and the abstinence of many students from alcohol and drugs, a significant challenge for the community.