Menu
29/09/2004
Global action needed to prevent childbirth deaths
With at least one woman in developing countries dying in childbirth every minute - more than half a million annually - the UN health agency has launched a drive to train health workers to help prevent such deaths.
The campaign by the World Health Organisation (WHO) includes the distribution of Beyond the Numbers - Reviewing Maternal Deaths and Complications to Make Pregnancy Safer, a manual for health planners and providers. The $10 million project also involves training decision-makers, national health planners and medical service providers in high-priority countries.
The initiative is being carried out in collaboration with more than 20 regional and international agencies, including the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Bank.
The UN has described the issue as an "invisible epidemic" in poor countries, where the risk of dying in childbirth is over 100 times higher than in rich nations.
WHO said the extent of the tragedy had not been clarified as "as many as half of all maternal deaths go unreported". Over 60 states don't even track statistics on the problem, the agency said.
"If dead women are not even counted, then it seems they do not count," Joy Phumaphi, WHO's Assistant Director-General on Family and Community Health, said.
The effects are tragically amplified, with an estimated 1 million children left motherless each year. Those youngsters are 10 times more likely to die in childhood than others whose mothers are alive, according to the WHO.
(gmcg/mb)
The campaign by the World Health Organisation (WHO) includes the distribution of Beyond the Numbers - Reviewing Maternal Deaths and Complications to Make Pregnancy Safer, a manual for health planners and providers. The $10 million project also involves training decision-makers, national health planners and medical service providers in high-priority countries.
The initiative is being carried out in collaboration with more than 20 regional and international agencies, including the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Bank.
The UN has described the issue as an "invisible epidemic" in poor countries, where the risk of dying in childbirth is over 100 times higher than in rich nations.
WHO said the extent of the tragedy had not been clarified as "as many as half of all maternal deaths go unreported". Over 60 states don't even track statistics on the problem, the agency said.
"If dead women are not even counted, then it seems they do not count," Joy Phumaphi, WHO's Assistant Director-General on Family and Community Health, said.
The effects are tragically amplified, with an estimated 1 million children left motherless each year. Those youngsters are 10 times more likely to die in childhood than others whose mothers are alive, according to the WHO.
(gmcg/mb)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
15 May 2003
UK's first SARS case confirmed
The first case of SARS in the UK has today been confirmed by the Health Protection Agency (HPA). Following lab tests, the patient has been informed of their result, however no further details are available due to confidentiality reasons.
UK's first SARS case confirmed
The first case of SARS in the UK has today been confirmed by the Health Protection Agency (HPA). Following lab tests, the patient has been informed of their result, however no further details are available due to confidentiality reasons.
05 February 2004
Improving reproductive health could save millions of lives: UN
Millions of lives could be saved with more cost-effective investments in sexual and reproductive health care, according to a new United Nations report.
Improving reproductive health could save millions of lives: UN
Millions of lives could be saved with more cost-effective investments in sexual and reproductive health care, according to a new United Nations report.
08 September 2004
Action needed to reduce suicide deaths, says UN health agency
With nearly 1 million people dying from suicide every year, more than from all homicides and wars combined, the UN health agency today called for concerted global action to curb what it termed “a huge but largely preventable public health problem”.
Action needed to reduce suicide deaths, says UN health agency
With nearly 1 million people dying from suicide every year, more than from all homicides and wars combined, the UN health agency today called for concerted global action to curb what it termed “a huge but largely preventable public health problem”.
07 July 2010
'Healthy' Britain Surveyed
A snapshot of health for each local area comparing key statistics such as life expectancy, deprivation and early deaths from stroke and heart disease has been published this week by the Department of Health.
'Healthy' Britain Surveyed
A snapshot of health for each local area comparing key statistics such as life expectancy, deprivation and early deaths from stroke and heart disease has been published this week by the Department of Health.
05 September 2014
One In Five Child Deaths Preventable, Research Reveals
One in five child deaths in England is preventable, according to research by the University of Warwick. Much more could be done to cut future deaths, a new three-part series on child deaths in high-income countries, published in The Lancet, has revealed.
One In Five Child Deaths Preventable, Research Reveals
One in five child deaths in England is preventable, according to research by the University of Warwick. Much more could be done to cut future deaths, a new three-part series on child deaths in high-income countries, published in The Lancet, has revealed.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
