Minister of State for Trade and Development, Joe Costello today launched the ESTHER Ireland programme, part of a European alliance of hospitals and healthcare institutions partnering with the developing world.

The European ESTHER Alliance is a network of governments working in synergy to tackle major diseases and improve healthcare for women and children. It involves twinning of European hospitals and healthcare institutions with similar institutions in developing countries to strengthen healthcare services by building expertise and sharing experience. ESTHER Ireland is an initiative between the Health Service Executive (HSE) and Irish Aid.

Ireland joined the ESTHER Alliance in 2012 and has approved its first two partnerships: the collaboration programme between the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) and the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA); and Cork University Maternity's Hospital's partnership with the Omdurman Maternity Hospital in Sudan.

Speaking at the launch in the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Minister Costello said: "This initiative will foster strategic partnerships in countries with the greatest health needs. It will contribute to the Government's new Policy on International Development by harnessing the capacity of Irish health experts and institutions to improve access to quality essential health services."

Ireland will focus on partnerships in Africa and draw upon the extensive first-hand experience that many health workers in Ireland have gained from previous work overseas.

Commenting on the launch, Tony O'Brien, Director General Designate of the HSE, said: "ESTHER Ireland builds on links already established by Irish health institutions with developing countries. The partnership approach means there are benefits on both sides, and the programme will contribute to improving quality of health care in Ireland as well as in the partner countries."

For more information on ESTHER Ireland, see www.esther.ie.

For more information on the ESTHER Alliance, see www.esther.eu.