By: Maria Dieci
Over the past 20 years, maternal and child health have improved dramatically. The number of children under 5 who die of preventable causes has reduced significantly, and the world has really taken measures to secure adequate healthcare for the more vuln
erable sectors of the population: women and children. However, improvements still need to be made. In Niger, child malnutrition rates are on the rise, and in some of the world’s most disadvantage countries, maternal and neonatal mortality rates are increasing. With 2015 only 5 years away, accelerated efforts must be made to ensure the attainment of the UN’s Millennium Development Goals.
The G8 summit has outlined a plan, the Muskoka Initiative, to achieve these goals. The initiative focuses on strengthening health systems by providing skilled birth attendants, prenatal care, exclusive breast-feeding, education, and better primary care. It also emphasizes action on a local level by bolstering community-based services that reach the greatest number of people in greatest need. UNICEF wholeheartedly supports the G8’s decision. Anthony Lake, the organization’s executive director commends the summit leaders, while calling the rest of us to action: “Today, the G8 countries have renewed their commitment to maternal and child health, and we must all hold ourselves accountable for achieving greater progress on this critical challenge.” The only way to reduce the number of children and mothers dying due to inadequate healthcare is if we as an international community join together and make it happen.
