New Delhi, Apr 26: India today urged UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon to ask member nations not to cut down financial and technical aid for public health initiatives across the globe.
 The request was made to him by Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Ghulam Nabi Azad, during the latter's meeting with the UNSG at his office here.
 Ban is on an official visit to India from April 26 to 29 and would be meeting the country's top dignitaries, including Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Friday.
 "This is an opportune moment, your Excellency, for you to use your good offices to urge member nations to not reduce their financial and technical support to public health initiatives for the common benefit of the global community," Azad told Ban during his meeting with him.
 The UN Secretary General fondly recalled his long association with India and said it is an important member state. Taking cognizance of work yet to be taken up to achieve the millennium development goals, Ban said he would like to showcase India's experiences and practices in dealing with maternal and child health issues for others to follow.
 He commended India's success in combating polio and said they would wish to help India in dealing with polio, malaria, tetanus, measles and HIV transmission related mortality.
 Ban said, "Simple things mean a lot" and mentioned his programme "Every Woman Every Child" which has focused world's attention on the right to life for every child and woman.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 26 Apr 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:00:00 IST