21.09.11
Goals to improve women and children’s healthcare reviewed
Progress on global goals for better healthcare for women and children is being discussed, following the release of an analysis published in the Lancet as well as research from the WHO.
The analysis suggests that the Millennium Development Goals will not be met by most developing countries, with only nine set to achieve the ambitious targets to improve children and women’s healthcare.
The authors concluded: “The MDG targets have helped rally donors to recognise the urgent need for further investment. Even with major accelerated efforts, most countries are unlikely to achieve both targets.
“Although some might see this as a failure of global health action, it is perhaps more important to keep track of whether the pace of progress for children and mothers has improved.”
The UN's global strategy aims to save 16 million lives by 2015. The most recent UN estimates suggest about 358,000 women die in pregnancy or childbirth and 7.6 million children under five, including newborns, die every year.
The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health report shows that 44 of the world’s poorest countries have made major commitments to this cause, including funding of almost £7bn, expansion of access to family planning and increased numbers of skilled birth attendants.
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