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| UNFPA honours Egyptian doctor, Nicaraguan NGO
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New York, US (PANA) -
An Egyptian doctor and a Nicaraguan
Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) have been awarded this
year’s United Nations Population Award, which recognises
outstanding work in population and health.
PANA reports that the award was given to Mahmoud Fathalla and Movimiento Comunal
Nicaraguense (MCN).
They were chosen from 18 nominees by an Award Committee headed by
Hamdon Ali, Malaysia’s Ambassador to the UN, and comprising 10 UN
member states.
A statement from the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) on Wednesday said that
Fathalla is a renowned doctor and professor of obstetrics and
gynaecology at Assist University in Egypt.
He also works as a manager, adviser and advocate for family planning,
reproductive health and safe motherhood.
``In 1974, he founded the Egyptian Fertility Care Society, one of the
first family planning organizations in the Arab world.
``The winner of many honours, he has also advised both national and
international organisations, including the World Health Organisation
(WHO) and the International Planned Parenthood Federation,'' the
statement said.
MCN, the Nicaraguan NGO, was created in 1978 and seeks to boost living
conditions in Nicaragua through social and community development,
gender equality and environmental protection.
``Working in 120 municipalities and 2,000 local communities, it
mobilises some 20,000 people such as community leaders, teachers and
midwives.
``Most recently, the NGO has centred on young people, aiming to
improve gender relations, wipe out violence, prevent sexually
transmitted infections and reduce teen pregnancies,'' the statement
said.
The UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) elects countries to the
Award Committee to serve three-year terms.
The current members are: Algeria, Bangladesh, Czech Republic,
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Haiti, Iran, Malaysia, Peru,
Sweden and Tanzania.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and UNFPA Executive Director
Thoraya Ahmed Obaid are ex-officio members.
The winners will receive their awards, a diploma and a gold medal, in
New York on 1 June.
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| New York - 25/02/2009 |
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