Neil Squires

Head of Profession for Health

The sun sets on 2008!

Posted 8 January 2009
The sun sets over Maputo

The sun sets over Maputo Bay

Well, the sun has set on 2008, and what a beautiful sunset it was. My friend Marie took this picture on the 29th December from the Marginal Road overlooking Maputo Bay. I think it really captures some of the magic of living here in Maputo.

There is much to inspire a person in Mozambique, from its glorious coast line, spectacular sunsets, friendly people and, in spite of the economic climate, growing economy. This helps build hope that the considerable challenges the country faces in terms of continuing high levels of poverty, a national HIV prevalence of 16%, and a shortage of skilled and trained health workers can, with sufficient political will, and international support, be overcome.

2008 was a hopeful year for Mozambique. Real progress has been made strengthening the health system and planning and estimating the costs of scaling up the health workforce. A clear strategy for the prevention of HIV transmission has been developed. I am looking forward to 2009, and hopefully to a continued international interest in the efforts that Mozambique is making to improve the health of its people.

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Comments

12 January 2009, 3:17 pm

What worries me now is the largest number of children who will not learn this year. Only one million of new entrants against a threefold of them that have been left outside. Much remains to be done next year (2010).


13 January 2009, 1:52 pm

Neil

Congratulations for the interesting stuf posted in your blog

wish you and the dfid family all the best in 2009

sincerely
paulo


3. dENIS SPARROW
8 February 2009, 4:19 pm

Hi Emily. I read the articale in the Citizen .and was given your details by their features editor.Can you make contact so I can give you some details which you may be able to help me with in Dar es Saalam . Best Wishes Denis.


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