In line with its long-standing commitment to Women and the Well Being of Communities, Coca Cola will support the Ministry of Health to reduce the high maternal and new born mortalities in Ivory Coast and Nigeria.

The Coca-Cola Company will launch a new program-The Safe Birth Initiative to support the Ministries of Health in Ivory Coast and Nigeria to tackle the high incidence of maternal and new born mortalities in the two countries. This was disclosed by the Coca-Cola Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) Group President, Brian Smith, during a courtesy visit to His Excellency Alassane Ouattara,President of the Republic of Ivory Coast.

The program will focus on strengthening the capacity of maternity and neonatal units in selected public hospitals in Ivory Coast and Nigeria. With US$2million grant from Coca-Cola to Medshare International Inc., the US-based not-for- profit NGO will source essential equipment, kits and supplies worth about US $20million to enable safe deliveries and post-delivery emergency care for both mothers and their newborns.