June 2013 UNUN SE SEYCHELLESYCHELLES NE WNewsletterSLETTER Published by the UN Information Centre ( UNIC ) for Kenya, Uganda and The Seychelles Rovit estiosae nonsed Deliveringet ad eum fuga. as One Nis accuson HIV este and ped quassit atesequis eos eaqui int. AIDS for Seychelles THE WORLD

We have the resources to end poverty and grow our world sustainably. It will take the work of all of us to make this happen and we must make our Governments listen and take action on the things that matter most to people everywhere!

The World We Want is gathering the priorities of people from every corner of the world and helping build a collective vision that will be used directly by the United Nations and World Leaders to plan a new development agenda launching in 2015, one that is based Participants at the National AIDS Council meeting to adopt recommendations of the Legal on the aspirations of all citizens! Over Environment Assessment report. Present in the picture are Seychelles President James 560,000 people from 194 countries have Michel (5th right) and the Minister of Health, Ms. Mitcy Larue (5th left) © Ministry of already taken My World Survey Health Seychelles, 2013

JOIN THE GLOBAL n December 2012, United Nations (WHO), in collaboration with the CONVERSATION Development Program (UNDP), Government of Seychelles under the United Nations Population Fund Delivering as One (DaO) framework, Share your voice. I Bo. Eliquam net rem. Haribea (UNFPA) and World Health Organization launched an HIV legal environment It all starts with you. harum ligento quo quibearume nt dolore, ut WhatWhat kind of’s World Inside do YOU Want? CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 Add your voice now Upcoming Events nsendam que magn ate quo tempore mposam http://www.worldwewant2015.org • 15-19 July 2013 Development of health financing strategic options and policy -WHO • nimosse17-19 July 2013ribusam, Small Island illa Developingnt. States (SIDS) Sub-region of the Atlantic, Orias reped mi, Indianconseque Ocean, Mediterranean and South China Seas (AIMS) preparatory meeting in Seychelles - UNDP What’s Inside: UNculla Observancesnt paribus. peribus diam eiust fuga. Delivering as One on HIV and AIDS for • 1 July Launch of the MDGs Report Nam et apiciam, toreriat Seychelles • 6 July International Day of Cooperatives UNFPA provides humanitarian assistance • toriandi11 July psamWorld Population Dayqui exceperae id ut re ent aut • 18 July Nelson Mandela International Day towards Reproductive Health needs for derchiliquia quae des am latassi accullaborum • 9 Aug International Day of the World’s Indigenous People populations recently affected by floods in • dolor12 Augro beaInternational nulparu Youth Daynt. eum in et rerchit eatus Seychelles • Se19rehe Aug nt Worldliae Humanitarianet, quidus. Day nam re venimperum liquis The Seychelles immunization programme- • 23 Aug International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition ‘A model in the African region’ • 29 Aug International Day against Nuclearconsequ Testing atem reicidelit • 8 Sept International Literacy Day UNFPA and Ministry of Health support first • 15 Sept International Day of Democracylaccuptas ent rest, suntemp national training workshop on Minimum • parum16 Sept a vInternationalolumqui Day aspi for theet, Preservation ellandi of the blaborioOzone Layer to volut Initial Service Package for Reproductive • ex21cepudior Sept International re Daypt aoftum Peace Health in crisis situations • 24 Sept World Maritime Day quis doluptae prerum aut vident inus se non UN Newsletter pore corita comnis Seychellesnonse sapidi nulland enimendis volorit es imporpo resciet UN Seychelles 2 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 better understanding of how the existing laws and regulations either constrain or support an effective AIDS response, aspects of access to justice and level of awareness on HIV and human rights among key populations, service providers and law enforcement agencies. The assessment was finalized in April 2013 and findings and recommendations were generally well received and adopted by the National AIDS Control Council. The national roadmap for strengthening the legal and policy environment that will follow the recommendations is expected to get stronger commitment within the DaO framework in the coming years to advance protection of rights, enhance Health Minister Mitcy Larue giving her key note address during the National AIDS Council access to justice and to HIV and AIDS Meeting © Ministry of Health Seychelles, 2013 services among People living with HIV and affected populations in Seychelles. assessment project. has been some progress in programmes, HIV and AIDS remain one of the The initiative was co-sponsored by the strategy and policy development and major public health and development Government of Seychelles and UNDP the Government has since reviewed challenges in Seychelles and is already Regional Service Center, with technical and developed a National HIV/AIDS identified by the UN Country Team support from the UN agencies. The Policy for HIV and STIs and second as one of the thematic areas where aim was to support the Government National Strategic Plan 2012-2016. UN agencies present in the islands of Seychelles to generate information, However, there are limitations in the legal could adopt a more unified approach gain better understanding of legal and policy environment. Now, more than at the country level to maximize on the and regulatory aspects of HIV and ever, the concentrated epidemic scenario resources and impact. The need for a AIDS, and make recommendations for identified among Injecting Drug Users unified response to HIV and AIDS is strengthening the legal and regulatory (IDUs) and Men having Sex with Men viewed as strategic, particularly in the environment for HIV and AIDS in the (MSM) in a recent Respondent Driven small island states of the Indian Ocean islands. Sampling study (RDS), introduces region, where there is limited presence of The Government of the Republic profound implications including international development agencies and of Seychelles has showed continued addressing violations of human rights for resources. commitment to improve the national vulnerable and most at risk population AIDS response through leadership but groups and promoting their protection. also by allocating resources to support The HIV legal environment interventions at various levels. There assessment is seen as a first step to gain

UNFPA provides humanitarian assistance towards Reproductive Health needs for populations recently affected by floods in Seychelles

n 24 April 2013, UNFPA from the UNFPA East and Southern The donation was a response by Representative for Madagascar, Africa regional humanitarian programme UNFPA to a call by President James Owho is also the Country in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Michel of the Republic of Seychelles Director for Seychelles, Mauritius and kits were provided to complement for local and international development Comoros, Ms Agathe Lawson, during her reproductive health supplies and partners to join hands and support the mission to Seychelles, donated Reproductive equipment in the country to improve islands’ recovery from the adverse effects Health Kits (RH) to the Minister of Health, reproductive for populations of the floods on 27 January 2013. Mrs. Mitcy Larue. in recently flood affected districts in Disaster was declared in certain eastern The RH kits estimated to cost Seychelles. districts including , Au SR178,000 were donated with support CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 UN Newsletter Seychelles CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 3 Cap, Point Larue and Cascade, including the inner island of in Seychelles. The Reproductive Health Kits included: Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) kits; Rape treatment Kits; Oral and Injectable Contraception kits; Male and female condoms; Intra Uterine Devices (IUD) kits; Clinical Delivery Assistance kits - Drugs and Disposable Equipment, and Reusable Equipment; Blood Transfusion kit; and Management of Miscarriage and Complications of Abortions Kits. Minister Larue, in her remarks while receiving the donation, acknowledged that Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is a significant public health need and a right for all communities, including the disadvantaged or those facing Minister Mitcy Larue (2nd right) and the UNFPA Representative, Agathe Lawson (centre) emergencies. She added that it is part during the donation of the kits © UNFPA, 2013 of the state obligation as a principal duty bearer, in collaboration with The Minister also appreciated the once again by providing Reproductive Health development partners and communities, donation by saying: “In this period of Kits…… The kits will definitely make real and to meet those needs of all Seychellois in recovery, we highly welcome and appreciate significant contribution to reproductive health all circumstances. the kind gesture that UNFPA has showed care that our people will receive.”

The Seychelles immunization programme- ‘A model in the African region’

mmunization is considered as one of the most cost effective public health Imeasures for prevention of diseases and disability. Immunization of children, adults, and adolescents has helped to save millions of lives worldwide and millions of dollars each year in unnecessary healthcare expenditures. The Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) is considered a high priority and high profile component of the Primary Health Care Programme within the Seychelles Ministry of Health. Strategies for elimination/eradication of vaccine preventable diseases are amongst Government’s top priorities. The immunization programme in Seychelles was initiated in 1808 with the smallpox vaccination. Thereafter, it expanded to include other antigens over the years such as DPT, BCG, OPV, ATT, DT, MMR, Hepatitis B, Yellow Fever, and HIB. The National EPI is closely linked to School CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 UN Newsletter Seychelles 4 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 Health Programmes and others. percent procurement The state recognizes the right of every of vaccine and citizen to be protected from diseases and injection materials the right to the enjoyment of the highest by the Government attainable standards of physical and and the attainment mental health (constitutional rights). of polio certification The immunization programme in level indicators Seychelles has successfully maintained a with acceptance high level of performance over the past of the country decade. documentation by The UN, through its resident agency, the Africa Regional WHO, has been providing technical and Certification some financial support to the programme. Commission in The support includes technical guidelines on October 2006. cold chain, vaccine storage, and strategic The high level of orientation on polio eradication and commitment by the measles elimination. An updated policy Government and its on the use of auto disable syringes and people, availability of needles has also been provided. free and accessible Vaccine coverage for all major child health services antigens has been maintained above 99 to everyone, active percent for the past ten years by the WHO follow up and definition, making vaccination coverage tracing of EPI target in Seychelles the highest in the African groups to ensure region. Several other achievements have maximum coverage, been attained including the absence of high literacy rates, mortality due to vaccine preventable access to the media diseases (VPDs). There has been hundred and information, and the absence of and other Millennium Development cultural or religious Goals. obstacles to The National EPI unit continues immunization to advocate at all levels to ensure have contributed sustainability of the investments in the to the success of programme and its achievements. One the immunization of the recent endeavors is the development programme and of a National EPI Policy document. the health sector in The policy will be harmonized with general. recommendations made by reputable It is therefore international organizations. The policy not surprising will also open new areas for monitoring that with these and implementation of field work. achievements and Furthermore, it will facilitate access to the conducive the simplest, safest and most effective environment, the strategies for immunization and serve as country has already a basis to develop appropriate guidelines achieved most of and work plans for health workers at all the health-related levels.

UN Newsletter Seychelles 5 UNFPA and Ministry of Health support first national training workshop on Minimum Initial Service Package for Reproductive Health in crisis situations

NFPA, together with the Ministry of Uorganized the first national training workshop on Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for reproductive health in crisis situations. Thirty five health and social care workers participated in the training from 13 to 15 May 2013, which was funded by the UNFPA East and Southern Africa Humanitarian programmme. The training focused on improving skills and knowledge on coordination, mobilization of resources and procurement of Reproductive Health Kits. Some of the areas covered included prevention and management of sexual violence and rape; prevention of HIV/ STIs transmission and excess neonatal The Director General of Public Health, Dr Shobha (seated in the center) with and maternal morbidity and mortality. In participants at the end of the MISP training workshop. © UNFPA, 2013 addition, planning for the provision of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services and its integration into However, findings of a rapid needs At the closing of the three days training primary health care were discussed. assessment of the capability of health workshop, Dr. Shobha, Director-General The training modules are based on facilities to deliver RH care in crisis of the Public Health Department standards developed by the Inter-Agency situations conducted by UNFPA acknowledged that the training formed Working Group (IAWG) on Reproductive in April 2013, highlighted areas that a strong foundation for preparations Health in humanitarian settings. IAWG needed further improvement, including and action for strengthening a national includes UN agencies, Civil Society capacity building for effective response response and health sector leadership groups, academic institutions and to reproductive healthcare at the onset during disasters in Seychelles. Dr. Shobha funding agencies. of disasters, and integrating MISP for noted that this was an area where the The Seychelles health sector Reproductive health into the health Ministry of Health would need stronger response to reproductive health (RH) sector contingency plan. There is also a collaboration with other sectors and needs of populations affected by recent need for the development of Standard engagement with the IAWG to benefit floods in late January/early February Operating Procedures and orientation from the lessons and experiences from 2013 was commendable. The response of actors to ensure the systematic the East and Southern Africa region in prevented maternal and neonatal deaths implementation of MISP in all disasters. humanitarian response. as well as reduced infections during the The findings of the assessment formed disaster. the basis of the training.

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UN Newsletter Seychelles 6

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UN Newsletter Seychelles 7 KNOW YOUR UNITED NATIONS - It’s your Organization EVERY DAY the United Nations works to tackle global challenges and: 1. Provides food to 90 million people in 73 countries 2. Vaccinates 58 per cent of the world’s children, saving 2.5 million lives a year 3. Assists over 36 million refugees and people fleeing war, famine or persecution 4. Combats climate change; heads a campaign to end leaded fuel use in over 100 nations 5. Keeps peace with 120,000 peacekeepers in 16 operations on 4 continents 6. Fights poverty, helping 370 million rural poor achieve better lives in the last 30 years 7. Protects and promotes human rights on site and through some 80 treaties/declarations 8. Mobilizes US$12.4 billion in humanitarian aid to help people affected by emergencieswww.un.org 9. Advances democracy, assisting some 30 countries a year with their elections 10. Promotes maternal health, saving the lives of 30 million women a year

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UN Newsletter Seychelles