U.N. Says Maternal Mortality Rate Has Nearly Halved since 1990

By Josh ButlerUNITED NATIONS, Mar 10 2015 (IPS)The global rate of maternal deaths is reducing faster than any time in history, according to a new report presented to the United Nations on Tuesday.The ‘Every Woman Every Child’ initiative has saved 2.4 million women and children since its inception in 2010, claims the report Saving Lives, Protecting Futures, presented by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.The report states maternal mortality has been nearly halved since 1990, and in 2013, 6.4 million fewer children under age five died compared to 1990. Every Woman Every Child states 11 million more women have given birth in a health facility, 8.4 million more women and girls use modern contraception, and post-natal care for women increased 25 percent.“Our task now is to maintain and build on that momentum, complete the unfinished health MDGs, end the appalling tragedy of preventable deaths and invest in the futures of women, children and adolescents,” Ban wrote in the report’s foreword. “Yet we can and must do much more to provide access to the health care that women need… we must work to ensure that children are born into a safe environment where they will receive necessary vaccines, nutrition and care. There is still too much needless suffering.”More than two-thirds of the $60billion pledged to the initiative by partner countries and institutions has been distributed and used. Speaking at the launch of the report, Ban said signs of progress were encouraging...
Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - Category: Global & Universal Authors: Tags: Development & Aid Gender Health Humanitarian Emergencies IPS UN: Inside the Glasshouse Newsbrief TerraViva United Nations Women's Health Maternal Health Reproductive Health Source Type: news