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The Deputy National Campaign Coordinator of the Universal Access to Healthcare Campaign (UAHCC), Archibald Adams says it is time for all developmental goals to be developed with the view of the family in mind.

He said, a range of development goals, ranging from poverty and inequality reduction, education, maternal and child health require greater focus on families. Inter-generational transfer of poverty occurs at the family level; inequality is perpetuated when families do not have access to health services and cannot send their children to school. It is at the family level, where decisions about educating girls take place.

This is contained in a press release to mark International Day of Families which is themed “Families Matter for the Achievement of Development Goals”. The International Day of Families was instituted by the United Nations and is celebrated globally on the 15th of May each year. The day seeks to raise awareness of the importance of families, to promote knowledge of socio-economic and demographic trends affecting families and stimulate efforts to respond to challenges faced by families.

Mr. Adams said major policy areas such as family poverty, social exclusion and inter-generational transfer of poverty; work-family balance, including unpaid work at home and the sharing of household responsibilities between parents as well as a variety of inter-generational issues are all family related. “If these policies are implemented with the view of the family in mind, successes chalked will contribute to the achievement of internationally agreed development goals such as the MDGs” he added.

He said, though there is some effort by government in the areas of LEAP and NHIS, more needs to be done to give more recognition to the important roles played by families in our society. He challenged government to push for the inclusion of Families in the Post 2015 Development Agenda which will replace the MDGs at the end of this year.

Mr. Adams challenged Government, Trade Unions, the Private Sector and other labour stakeholders to initiate steps for the development and enactment of a Work-Family Balance Policy. This policy will take into consideration, Access to Family Health Services such as Family Planning Services, the adoption of Paternity Leave, Flexible Working Arrangements to Child Benefits and Equal Access to Employment for Women among others. “A Work-Family Balance Policy will demonstrate both government’s commitment to the well-being of families and the private sector’s commitment to social responsibility” Mr. Adams averred.

The Deputy National Campaign Coordinator said the Campaign will continue to advocate for Universal Health Coverage and reduction of inequalities in the Health Sector.