UNICEF Partners with Turkmenistan Airlines to Promote Child Care

    Turkmenistan Airlines (Turkmenhowayollary) joined hands with the United Nations Children’s Fund and the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan to promote messages on child care and survival at its domestic flights. The collaboration has officially started today with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between UNICEF Representative Mr. Mahboob Shareef, Minister of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan Mr. Ata Serdarov and Head of Turkmenistan Airlines Mr. Gurbanniyaz Tirkishev . Turkmenistan Airlines will help to disseminate messages on child’s wellbeing to approximately 1,2 million passengers annually. Publications, audio and video materials on Immunization, Diarrhoea, Safe Motherhood, Exclusive Breastfeeding, Avian Influenza, Early Childhood Development, Hygiene, Family Planning, HIV/AIDS Prevention, Malaria, and other child health related information will be communicated onboard Turkmenistan Airlines flights and in the waiting lounges of all airports of Turkmenistan. It is expected that this unique collaboration and unique communication strategy will focus on promotion of family and community child health practices and will contribute to behavioural change amongst parents. Messages that will be disseminated by Turkmenistan Airlines’ crew will be drawn from “Facts for Life” book developed by a number of international development agencies, including UNICEF, and widely used by health workers in Turkmenistan. It is also envisaged, that dissemination of messages will go beyond domestic flights and will include international air travels. An innovative alliance of UNICEF and Turkmenistan Airlines is a perfect example of how corporate sector could take on its social responsibility to contribute to the development of the country, and particularly, to leveraging results for children who represent one third of Turkmenistan’s population. [Press release by UNICEF Turkmenistan]