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Niassa, Mozambique - 28 May 2025 - A promising initiative to improve the health and well-being of women, newborns and adolescents in northern Mozambique was officially launched today during a high-level ceremony in Niassa Province. The ‘Health Improvements for Mothers, Newborns and Adolescents’ (HIMNA, project - translated to Stay Strong in English**)** is a five-year partnership between UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, and the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), in close collaboration with the Mozambican Ministry of Health (MISAU). The project is funded by 7.5 million US dollars from the Government of the Republic of Korea.
The launch ceremony brought together various national and international figures, including H.E. Bok-won Kang, Korean Ambassador to Mozambique; Ms. Jinju Hyun, National Director of KOICA; Mr. Walter Mendonça Filho, UNFPA Deputy Representative and Officer in Charge; and H.E. Dr. Elina Judite Massengele, Governor of Niassa Province, who officially presided over the event's launch ceremony.
The project is designed to complement and reinforce current health interventions being led by the Ministry of Health and will be implemented between 2024 and 2029 in the districts of Lichinga, Cuamba, Mandimba and Mecanhelas - areas with significant maternal and child health needs. The main objective is to help reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates, as well as teenage pregnancies. The main targets include: reducing maternal mortality from around 408 to less than 190 per 100,000 live births; reducing neonatal mortality from around 27 to less than 19.3 per 1,000 live births; and reducing the teenage pregnancy rate from around 51 per cent to less than 47.3 per cent.
The project's activities will improve health services in the key districts. To this end, health units will be reinforced with medical and hospital equipment, Maternal and Child Health Nurses will be hired, and an ambulance will be delivered to each district. The project will also increase access to family planning, promote community education on sexual and reproductive health, and encourage positive changes in social norms that still jeopardise the health and rights of women and girls. In addition, supervision of health services will be strengthened. All these actions follow the priorities of the Ministry of Health and contribute to ensuring that more people have access to quality healthcare.
‘This initiative reflects Korea's deep commitment to inclusive and equitable development in Mozambique,’ said Ambassador Bok-won Kang. ‘Through the HIMNA project, we are proud to collaborate with the Ministry of Health and UNFPA to strengthen health systems and empower women and young people to live healthier and more resilient lives.’
Mr. Walter Mendonça Filho, UNFPA Deputy Representative and Officer in Charge in Mozambique, added: "HIMNA is about sustainable and lasting impact - supporting the Ministry of Health in scaling up critical interventions where they are needed most. Together, we are building a healthier future for generations to come.
The HIMNA project emphasises the importance of strategic partnerships in advancing national health priorities and boosting progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals in Mozambique.
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About UNFPA
Creating a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and young people’s potential is fulfilled.
UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, deals with population issues and is responsible for expanding the possibilities for women and young people to lead healthy sexual and reproductive lives. UNFPA works to accelerate universal access to sexual and reproductive health, including voluntary family planning and safe motherhood and seeks to realise the rights and opportunities of young people. UNFPA also supports countries using population data to anticipate future challenges, offering technical assistance that strengthens and empowers its partners.
About KOICA
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) is South Korea’s leading development cooperation agency, dedicated to fostering sustainable development and improving the quality of life in developing countries. Since its establishment in 1991, KOICA has been working to achieve global development goals through grant aid programs, technical cooperation, and capacity-building initiatives.
KOICA focuses on key areas such as healthcare, education, gender equality, rural development, governance, and environmental sustainability. By partnering with governments, international organisations, and civil society, KOICA implements projects that address urgent needs and promote long-term development.
Through its innovative and inclusive approach, KOICA aims to contribute to building a better world by reducing poverty, empowering communities, and advancing global development.
Useful Links
- UNFPA : UNFPA’s Moçambique website | Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter)
- KOICA Mozambique Office: Facebook
For more information:
Ms. Karlina Salu | UNFPA Communications Analyst | + 258 84 056 0246 | jsalu@unfpa.org
Ms. Elizabeth Mbuga | Manager | + 258 84 519 9695 | koicamozambique@gmail.com