ISLAMABAD, Oct 5: The government of Norway will assist the ministry of health’s mother and neonatal child health (MNCH) programme in Sindh.

According to official sources, the Norwegian government will provide assistance in the programme, under the Norway-Pakistan partnership initiative (NPPI), for achieving the millennium development goals of the United Nations.

About $41 million are committed for the programme during the 2007-2011 period.

Flexible funding will enable utilisation of innovative techniques, using results-based disbursements.

A high-level meeting of stakeholders, chaired by secretary health Khushnood Akhtar Lashari, reviewed the draft proposal.

He said neonatal and mothers’ health was a priority in the health policy.

He added that the programme would enable the country to reduce maternal and infant mortality.