polio and new strains of pandemic influenza. Japan is striving to provide assistance based on the “EMBRACE model” $ ^{8} $ (see “Terminology” on page 33) particularly for maternal and newborn child health, which is not on track to meet the MDGs. Under this new policy, Japan has formulated strategy for implementation of efficient support in Ghana, Senegal, Bangladesh, and other countries.

to reduce 470,000 deaths by AIDS, 990,000 deaths by tuberculosis, and 3.3 million deaths by malaria across partner countries, in cooperation with other development partners (see page 80 for details regarding Infectious Diseases).

This strategy encourages mutually complementary collaboration with international organizations and other development partners, and sets Japan's sights to provide support to enable partner countries tackle issues and achieve the health-related MDGs. Under this policy, we aim to work with international organizations and other development partners to save approximately 430,000 maternal lives and 11.3 million children's lives across partner countries. In particular, by strengthening measures against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in making further financial contributions to the Global Fund and Japan's bilateral assistance, Japan is working to provide effective assistance

$ ^{*} $ Health System

A mechanism for the preparation and maintenance of government systems, improvement of healthcare facilities, optimization of the supply of pharmaceuticals, accurate understanding and effective utilization of healthcare information, financial administration, and acquisition of financial resources, as well as the development and management of personnel to operate these processes and provide services.

Children learn how to wash their hands in Vanuatu (Photo: Yuki Jimbo)

## $ ^{*} $ The three major infectious diseases

Refers to HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. Worldwide deaths from these diseases total approximately 4.3 million each year. The spread of these infectious diseases significantly impacts society and the economy, and is a factor that inhibits national development. Accordingly, it is a serious threat to human security, and a global issue that must be addressed by a unified international community.

Jordan

# “Integrating Health and Empowerment of Women in the South Region Project” Technical Cooperation Project (September 2006 - September 2011)

Efforts to address women’s health issues are lagging behind because the villages of southern Jordan are located sporadically in an expansive land, and they possess a conservative cultural and social background that are unique to nomadic people. The project aimed to ensure that women in such regions have access to basic healthcare by improving services at village health posts and strengthening local healthcare administration. The project also made efforts to educate all village residents including

men about women’s health and family planning. Trained “Healthcare counselors” selected among the villagers, are employed as new public servants with the support from the project, and provide healthcare services at health posts and home visits. Steady progress in health care has been observed. Contraceptive practice among women who received home visits rose from 43.7% in 2007 to 55.6% in 2011, and the rate of receiving postnatal care rose from 25% (2007) in the entire region to 36% (2011). These outcomes in the southern region, said to be the most closed in the nation, will be reflected in Jordan’s overall healthcare policy, and utilized in areas throughout the country.

* Empowerment: The acquisition of the skills and abilities to solve problems on one's own

* Health post: A simplified, basic healthcare center

Visiting a Bedouin (nomad) home to conduct educational activities (Photo: JICA)