The WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean held an intercountry workshop on child health policy development in Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic, from 26 to 29 July 2004.
The Regional Office launched the Child Health Policy Initiative (CHPI) in October 2003. The aim of the CHPI is to assist countries in bringing together in one document all the main policy elements and issues related to child care, including illness and healthy growth and development, to establish a legal framework that gives clear long-term directions and support to improve the health status of our children. At a time when all Member States have pledged to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), a national child health policy will enable countries to "institutionalize" this commitment and translate it into stronger action.