UNICEF - United Nations Children's Fund

Published purpose

This program aims to provide the poorest fifth of the population with essential health services in areas accounting for the highest number of child and maternal deaths. In particular, it provides strategic support for the delivery of front-line services that address the main causes of mortality to this group. Working under policy frameworks set by countries, UNICEF takes a phased approach involving civil society and partner country governments to provide essential health services in areas where morality rates are highest. The program accelerates progress towards the health-related Millennium Development Goals and reduce inequalities in health care and focus on supporting the delivery of high-impact and low-cost services. Front-line health services provide improved availability and access to key health services that results in large-scale improvements in population health. UNICEF facilitates support to providing supplies and logistics, as well as training health workers to ensure critical supplies are available, to recognize and treat common causes of child mortality, and to ensure appropriate utilization of health services.