Coca-Cola EMEA Group President, Brian Smith’s recent visit to Ivory Coast was especially significant for the country’s health authorities with the launch of the Safe Birth Initiative (SBI) – a signature partnership with the Health Ministry to help reduce the country’s extremely high maternal and neonatal mortality rates.
Announcing the program at a meeting with President Alassane Ouatarra at the State House in Abidjan, Brian said “The commitment to help promote sustainable development in our communities is a fundamental part of
President Ouatarra expressed appreciation for
Coca-Cola will work with Medshare International on the Safe Birth Initiative, and the US-based not-for-profit will leverage a network of donors to deliver $11.8 million worth of medical equipment, kits and supplies to strengthen the capacity of maternal and neonatal wards in selected public hospitals, enabling safe deliveries and post-delivery emergency care for both mothers and their newborns. The program also includes training of end-users and biomedical technicians to effectively operate and maintain the donated equipment.
At a cocktail event with
West Africa Business Unit President, Peter Njonjo, told guests at the event that
Brian also interacted with WABU associates at a Townhall, where he spoke on the Company’s new growth strategy, affirming the commitment by the Leadership to the vision of an agile, consumer-centric and growth-oriented total beverage company.
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