Speeches and Remarks

Ambassador Moriarty at the Launch of New Smiling Sun Clinic

Remarks by Ambassador James F. Moriarty at the Launching of New Smiling Sun Clinic

AUGUST 4, 2009

Honorable Minister for Health, Dr. A.F.M. Ruhal Haque.  Thank you for joining us today for this special occasion.

Representatives from the Government of Bangladesh; Local Dignitaries; Mr. Steve Wilson, Chevron Bangladesh President and other Chevron staff; Members of the media and other distinguished guests: Assalam alaikum and Good morning.

I am delighted to be here for the launch of another new Smiling Sun Clinic.  The U.S. Government has worked with the people of Bangladesh for 40 years to improve health.  Since Bangladesh’s independence, the U.S. Government has provided more than $5 billion in development assistance, including $700 million for the health sector.

In his June 4 Cairo speech to the Muslim world, President Obama emphasized that the United States will expand partnerships with Muslim communities to promote child and maternal health.  The President also recently announced a new Global Health Initiative focusing on broad global health challenges, including child and maternal health and family planning.  The launch of another Smiling Sun Clinic demonstrates our commitment to improving health care for children and families across Bangladesh. 

In today’s world, public-private partnerships are an essential component of sustainable health services.  Government resources and donor support can only partially meet the increasing health care needs of the people.  In this context, the public-private partnership between the community, the Smiling Sun Program and Chevron is critical.  This partnership gives us hope that the Smiling Sun Network can continue to provide critical healthcare services for the long term.  I believe that this model can be applied more broadly in Bangladesh.

With the addition of this clinic, the Smiling Sun Network now includes 320 clinics, 8,000 satellite sessions and 6,000 Community Service Promoters in 61 of Bangladesh’s 64 districts.  The network provides integrated health and family planning services to 20 million Bangladeshis – more than two million contacts each month.  Many of these customers would otherwise be unable to afford basic health services.

This is the third Chevron-funded Smiling Sun clinic.  It would not be possible to establish this clinic without their generous support.  Chevron’s assistance is just one example of how U.S. companies are good citizens here in Habigani, in Bangladesh, and throughout the world. 

I would also like to thank the family members of the late Mr. Mohorom Ali, who donated the land for this new clinic.  This clinic shows how Bangladesh can bring together resources from government, donors, business organizations and communities to expand health services in under-served areas.  I hope to see many more community - led initiatives to increase access to quality essential services at the local level.

With the support of the United States Government, Bangladesh has achieved remarkable success in the health sector.  Mortality among children under five years of age has dropped from 250 per 1,000 live births in 1971 to 65 today.  The country’s fertility rate has dropped by more than half, from 6.3 live births per woman to 2.7.  56% of couples now use contraception compared to just 8% in 1971.  80% now receive regular immunizations.  All this means that more Bangladeshis are living healthier and more productive lives.

We still have more to do.  Bangladesh’s population will reach 220 million by 2050.  It will be a challenge to provide health care for a population that large.  The U.S. Government will continue to help Bangladesh meet this challenge.  This year we will provide more than $40 million to expand family planning services, improve maternal and child health, and improve nutrition, especially for women and children.

I would like to conclude by wishing all those involved with this Smiling Sun Clinic great success in serving the people of this area.  It is very important for all of us to think about the steps we can take to make a real difference in the lives of the poor and needy.  Ensuring health care is one of them; and I’m proud to be associated with this effort.

Thank you.