The eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) form a blueprint agreed to by all the world’s countries and the entire world’s leading development institutions. They have galvanized unprecedented efforts to meet the needs of the world’s poorest.
The Norwegian Directorate of Health is involved in three of the health related goals.
Health Related Goals
There are three clearly defined health related goals:
- No. 4: Reduce by two thirds, between 1990 an 2015, the under-five mortality rate
- No. 5 A and B: Reduce by three quarters the maternal mortality ratio and achieve universal access to reproductive health
- No. 6 a, b and c: Have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS. Achieve, by 2010, universal access to treatment for HIV/AIDS for all those who need it. Have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the incidence of malaria and other major diseases.
The Directorate’s engagement in the MDGs
The Norwegian Directorate of Health is highly engaged in global health, and has been a driving force in reaching the health related goals.
The Directorate holds a seat in the Norwegian steering committee for this work. Bilateral agreements have been negotiated with five different countries to contribute to the work targeting mothers and children.
The Directorate is especially engaged in the implementing of these programmes in India and Pakistan.