Lack of political commitment hampering population progress in Latin America; uncontrolled growth of cities and aging becoming serious problems.Lack of political commitment hampering population progress in Latin America Latin America, the Spanish-speaking, Portuguese-speaking, and French-speaking countries (except Canada) of North America, South America, Central America, and the West Indies. Uncontrolled growth of cities and aging becoming serious problems AWARENESS of the importance of population has not yet been translated into political commitment in most Latin American countries. This is happening despite a population growth rate second only to that of Africa and the worst economic crisis in the region's history. Population is not generally being taken into account in development plans. The population units established precisely for that purpose have not yet produced the expected results. The uncontrolled growth of cities and the increase in the number of the aged are two other worrying issues in the continent. These are among the conclusions reached by UNFPA UNFPA United Nations Population Fund (formerly United Nations Fund for Population Activities) UNFPA United Nations Fund for Population Activities (now United Nations Population Fund) in its 1986 report. Commitment from top essential Dr. Hugo Corvalan, who heads UNFPA's Latin America and Caribbean Division, says that "where there is not a clear and public commitment from the top, population planning just doesn't happen'. Dr. Corvalan is a Chilean generalist and obstetrician obstetrician /ob·ste·tri·cian/ (ob?ste-trish´in) one who practices obstetrics. ob·ste·tri·cian n. A physician who specializes in obstetrics. with a degree from the London School of Economics The School is a member of the Russell Group, the European University Association, Association of Commonwealth Universities, the Community of European Management Schools and International Companies, The Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs as well as the Golden and extensive field experience who still manages to practise. According to Dr. Corvalan, many UNFPA-funded projects in Latin America in practice emphasize the general aspects of mother and child health services health services Managed care The benefits covered under a health contract at the expense of family planning family planning Use of measures designed to regulate the number and spacing of children within a family, largely to curb population growth and ensure each family’s access to limited resources. . "For example, we provide special gynaecological adj. 1. Of or pertaining to gynecology; same as gynecological. Adj. 1. gynaecological - of or relating to or practicing gynecology; "gynecological examination" gynecologic, gynecological tables for the insertion of contraceptives. Then they're used 90 per cent of the time for general health services and only maybe 10 per cent of the time for family planning.' "The medical profession in Latin America has long supported the integration of family planning into the larger context of mother and child health. This in itself is very positive. But, paradoxically, it's allowing the executing agencies to cop out as far as family planning goes.' He's now trying to raise the consciousness of United Nations agencies about this problem. "NGOs have a more positive attitude but we only give them small projects.' Political will in Peru Peru is an example of the difference that political will from the top can make in a population programme. "The President himself has declared that he wants family planning', says Dr. Corvalan. |
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