A general officer of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints expressed appreciation to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for the opportunity to be a partner in its global efforts to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT). Sister Jean B. Bingham, first counselor in the Church’s Primary general presidency, participated in a UNICEF panel discussion in New York City Wednesday, November 30, 2016.
LDS Charities has worked closely with a consortium of health and humanitarian organizations over the years to help eliminate and eradicate measles, polio and other infectious diseases by providing funding and volunteers. Over the past three years, the Church’s humanitarian arm has donated $1 million annually to help in the MNT elimination effort.
“Our belief that all people are members of God’s family leads us to try to follow Jesus Christ’s example to serve anyone, anywhere, to relieve suffering wherever we can,” said Sister Bingham. “Reducing the number of lives lost to preventable diseases through immunization is a way to lift and bless children no matter where they live.”
The Primary organization represents more than 1 million Latter-day Saint children around the world between the ages of 18 months and 11 years. UNICEF has been working to improve the lives of children around the world for the past 70 years by implementing programs that target their health, education and security.
“Our missions are the same,” said Sister Bingham, who said the Church and Primary organization have a long history of working to improve children’s health and welfare. “Our common interest with UNICEF in the survival and welfare of children make the MNT elimination initiative a great match.”
In 1922, Primary Children’s Hospital opened in Salt Lake City by the Church’s Primary association, providing treatment for children regardless of their ability to pay. The hospital is going strong today as an independent, non-profit facility.