* Trusting the African private sector with aid Jul 3, 2008
Non-profit groups, government and, crucially, the private sector should all be competing to deliver a broad set of services, such as improving maternal health. This competitive stimulus would give a powerful incentive to improve standards. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Foreign aid should boost Africa doctors' pay - WHO Jul 3, 2008
The U.N.'s Millennium Development Goals, adopted in 2000, include reducing child mortality, improving maternal health, and halting the spread of HIV/AIDS and other diseases that remain most prevalent in Africa. news is provided by. (AlertNet)
Africa:Top Leaders Issue Call to Speed Up Development Jul 2, 2008
"Africa as a whole is off track to meeting the MDGs on reducing child mortality, improving maternal health and combating infectious disease," the Steering Group noted. "Yet, experiences from other continents, as well as recent progress in several countries in the region, prove that the Goals can be achieved across Africa.". (allAfrica.com)
FACTBOX-Issues at G8-Africa talks Jul 2, 2008
Improve maternal health. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases. (AlertNet)
Madhya Pradesh: Health services for a revamp Jul 1, 2008
Besides, the honorarium of doctors under Maternal Health Training Programmes has also been increased from Rs 200 to Rs 500 per day. These measure go to prove that the state government is serious about extending best medical services in both urban and rural areas and is not hesitating to allocate large chunks of money for this. (Central Chronicle)
The Millennium Development Goals and Awareness Jun 29, 2008
The MDGs says that these 189 developing and least developed countries including Ghana should endeavour to eradicate extreme poverty, achieve universal primary education, eliminate gender disparity, reduce child mortality, improve maternal health, combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases, ensure environmental sustainability and develop a global rule-based, non discriminatory trading and financial system and partnership for development. Mr Daouda Toure, UNDP Resident Representative in Ghana,... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
'Act together to tackle global crises' Jun 27, 2008
"In Hokkaido we must deliver on our commitments. I will also seek increased funding for specific programmes relating to infant and maternal health, community health projects and disease control HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and neglected tropical diseases," he added. Discuss this story with other readers. (India Times)
May 2008 issue on conflict and crisis settings: Promoting sexual and reproductive rights Jun 25, 2008
Guest Editor Rosalind Petchesky draws attention to "the extraordinary energy and resilience of displaced communitiesoften under the leadership of womento survive, negotiate and rebuild and calls for "a new humanitarian paradigm that will allow the people directly affected to define their needs and find appropriate solutions during disasters, rather than having external organisations impose solutions on them". Articles focus on Afghanistan, Burma, Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Iraq, the... (EurekAlert!)
Students put health care skills to work in Nogales Jun 25, 2008
Diehl and Arana are majoring in public health at UA. Arana, a native of Nogales, said she hopes to return here to work in child and maternal health. VIHSTA is a partnership between Arizona's universities and rural communities, according to a program description. (Nogales International, AZ)
2-1-1- arrives in Dunn County Jun 17, 2008
Physical and mental health resources health insurance programs, Medicaid and Medicare, maternal health, medical information lines, crisis intervention services, support groups, counseling, alcohol and other drug prevention, intervention and treatment services. Employment supports financial assistance, job training, transportation assistance, education and training programs. (Chippewa Falls Chippewa Herald, WI)
Federal funds go to Eaglehawk childcare centre Jun 13, 2008
The Federal Government is providing the funding to build the multi-purpose facility, which will include a childcare centre, preschool and maternal health facilities. Eaglehawk Ward councillor Elaine Harrington says it will be built within five years. (ABC Regional Online)
Afghan mothers-to-be face dangerous journey Jun 13, 2008
The Canadian government has spent at least $350,000 supporting maternal health programs run by the Afghan government and United Nations Children's Fund. Some of the money is going toward building a residential obstetric-care facility in Kandahar city. (Globe and Mail -- International)
Need help and dont know where to turn? Dial 211 Jun 9, 2008
Physical and Mental Health Resources: medical information lines, crisis intervention services, support groups, counseling, drug and alcohol intervention, rehabilitation, health insurance programs, Medicaid and Medicare, maternal health, children s health insurance programs. Employment Support: unemployment benefits, financial assistance, job training, transportation assistance, education programs. (Alva Review Courier, OK)
Food Crisis Threatens Health and Economy Jun 5, 2008
She said that rising food costs, linked to poor weather, the use of crops for biofuels, and commodity market speculation, had hurt international efforts to reduce child mortality, improve maternal health, and fight diseases such as tuberculosis. "This food crisis alone set back the progress we made in poverty reduction by seven years," Chan said. (MEDLINEplus)
A 'drug drought' for pregnant women Jun 4, 2008
Worldwide, scientists are actively developing only 17 medicines for maternal health, Fisk says ... The agency also works with pharmaceutical companies to study drugs used by pregnant women after they're approved, says Karen Feibus, medical team leader on the FDA's maternal health team. (USA Today -- News)
* Giving girls and women the tools to build a better tomorrow Jun 1, 2008
9 billion on family planning and maternal health initiatives, such as provision of emergency contraception in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, could avert 1. 4 million infant deaths and 142,000 pregnancy-related deaths in women. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Africa: Unicef Reports Five Million Child Deaths Every Year May 31, 2008
But sub-Saharan Africa is unlikely to achieve any of the health-related MDGs by 2015; the continent lags behind on progress towards eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, improving maternal health, and halting and reversing the spread of HIV. One in every six children in sub-Saharan Africa will still die before his or her fifth birthday. The region is described by UNICEF as the most difficult place in the world for a child to survive. (allAfrica.com)
Africa: Japan's More is Not Enough May 29, 2008
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid expressed hope that more funds would be allotted to maternal health ... "Maternal health underpins all the other MDGs, especially those to improve infant and child health, to empower women, and to attain gender equality," she said. (AllAfrica.com)
Save the mothers May 24, 2008
Maternal health has improved only marginally and figures released by the United Nations last year show an average annual decline of maternal deaths of less than one per cent. ... In the Public Service Broadcasting Trust (PSBT) production, Mother Courageous , film-maker Debalina Majumder traverses seven districts of UP, recording the opinions of government officials, health activists, and the public to reveal social discrimination and neglect of women's maternal health. (Deccan Herald)
Ghana, UK sign agreement for maternal health care May 22, 2008
Deputy Health Minister, Abraham Odoom, noted that in the countdown to 2015, Ghana remained behind schedule to attain the goal to reduce child mortality and to improve maternal health. He said the assistance would enable the Ministry to implement its priority programmes, one of which was the free maternity health care for all pregnant women, to meet the health-related MDGs. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Malibu youth gather Pennies for Peace (1) May 18, 2008
Well, this girl went on to get a degree in maternal health and, after she returned to her village, childbirth mortality disappeared. ""It takes very little to bring education to these areas," Thonson said. "Fifteen thousand dollars builds a school, and a dollar a day pays a teacher. (Malibu Times, CA)
Parents doping up kids May 16, 2008
Ms Trajanovska, from the university's school of nursing and social work, said her survey of 325 parents at hospital outpatient clinics, maternal health centres and childcare centres found almost all parents had used over-the-counter drugs to ease pain and fever in their infants. Paracetamol was the most popular drug for high temperature, followed by ibuprofen. (Melbourne Herald Sun)
Fighting malaria with DDT in South Africa May 16, 2008
----------------- ----------------- RELATED BBC SITES. Last Updated: Wednesday, 21 September 2005, 01:23 GMT 02:23 UK. (Yahoo News -- Malaria)
issued a report May 15, 2008
Amalgamating HIV/AIDS services with those for reproductive and maternal health, nutrition, and other diseases such as malaria and TB, would remedy a long-standing defect in many national HIV/AIDS programs to date. The 'feminization' of the epidemic and its links to sexual and reproductive health, and the frequency of co-infection with TB (and the emerging Extensively Drug Resistant TB) and other opportunistic diseases, amplify the importance of providing people with integrated health services. (allAfrica.com)
Govt continues fight to 'close the gap' May 13, 2008
Treasurer Wayne Swan has pledged $90 million over five years for indigenous child and maternal health services, $99 million over five years for more teachers in the Northern Territory and $56 million over four years to widen literacy and numeracy programs for indigenous students. Mr Swan declared the fight to narrow the 17-year difference in life expectancy as a "long-term challenge for our nation". (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Newswatch, Police/Fire May 11, 2008
According to Revolution Health's momScore, the first health index providing state rankings for maternal health, Vermont was tops with 94 ... The momScore was compiled by medical professionals, public health officials, advocates and mothers looking at 10 key factors, including maternal health and wellness, early childhood health, socioeconomic factors and public policy ... and one of the experts who participated in the momScore, said there has been little improvement in national measures of... (Honolulu Star-Bulletin)
Day for healthier mothers May 10, 2008
9 billion to expand child and maternal health care, require a U.S. strategy for sustaining improvements and coordinate scattered federal programs through an interagency task force. The tie between poverty and poor health is starkest in the Third World, but it carries into other countries. (Seattle Post Intelligencer)
Indigenous health budget 'a bit short': AMSANT May 8, 2008
"It's a bit light on from our perspective and the health initiatives. We see there $1 million over five years to deliver antenatal care and maternal health program to mothers. We welcome that, but by crikey, it's a bit short.". "Why are we tightening the belt when there's a huge demand for health care services for Territorians? "If we want to get on top of this and reduce the waiting list and the demand on hospitals, then we've got to invest. (ABC Online)
* Brown hosts summit on world poverty May 8, 2008
He has since sought to increase overseas aid in areas like achieving universal education, improving maternal health, combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases X all MDGs. He also believes world bodies that were set up in the wake of World War II, including the UN, World Bank and International Monetary Fund, need to be reorganized to meet the challenges of the 21st century. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
AMA urges no cuts to health in Budget May 8, 2008
Some $87 million to fund $6,000 bonuses to encourage nurses back into the workforce will form part of the budget, as well as $92 million for indigenous child and maternal health services. Last month, the government lifted excise on pre-mixed alcoholic beverages from $39 a litre to $67, putting them on equal footing with bottled spirits. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Maternal mental health predicts risk of developmental problems at 3 years of age: follow up of a community based trial May 7, 2008
Assessment of maternal health and effective screening of child development may increase detection of children at high risk who would benefit from early intervention. Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN64070727. (BioMed Central)
South Africa: Free State Celebrates International Midwife Day May 6, 2008
Maternal and child mortality ranks high on the list of Millennium Development Goals with MDGs four and five aiming to reduce child mortality and improve maternal health respectively. The set target is to reduce the maternal mortality ratio by three quarters by 2015. (AllAfrica.com)
China gets first UNDP green envoy Apr 22, 2008
The UNDP, along with other UN agencies, has long enlisted the voluntary services and support of prominent individuals to highlight priority development challenges, help amplify the message of human development and accelerate achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, which include poverty reduction, maternal health, and fighting child mortality, AIDS and other diseases. It counts tennis star Maria Sharapova and Crown Prince Haakon Magnus of Norway among its other ambassadors, who support... (Xinhuanet, China)
March of Dimes works for infants Apr 20, 2008
March of Dimes works to protect all infants 042008 - The Augusta Chronicle. The Wicks family understands firsthand what it means when a baby has health challenges. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Teach your children well - but one small step at a time Apr 19, 2008
Much is already known about the pros and cons of these centres that bring together a host of child and maternal health programs, child care, preschool and playgroup services, as well as parenting classes and home visiting. Overwhelming evidence shows the future of most children is set well before primary school. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
White Ribbon Alliance Calls for Investments to Save Women's Lives Lost in Pregnancy and Childbirth Apr 17, 2008
Joins with Maternal Health Champions on Capitol Hill to Ask U.S. to Meet Obligations to World's Poorest Nations WASHINGTON, April 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood today took its call for world leaders to invest in women's health to Capitol Hill ... "All nations bear responsibility for women dying needlessly in childbirth and must meet our obligations to assist the governments without adequate resources to invest in women's health." Experts estimate a... (PR Newswire)
Gillard flags childcare tax rebate increase Apr 17, 2008
"They can't be serious - 1.2 million more like it. How many wages will they be paying for $120,000? 3? 2?I don't support these plans anyway as they are far better off putting money into helping people stay at home to look after their kids than expecting the state to do it. It's starting to sound all very Orwellian where the state is supposed to do everything and everyone's committments are meant to be to it. And there are little personal or family interactions, responsibilities and... (ABC Online)
Health experts call for intensification of Primary health care delivery Apr 16, 2008
They said although a lot had been achieved during the past 30 years after the Declaration of Alma Ata: International Conference on Primary Health Care", held in Alma Ata USSR 1978, work of the PHC had been slow and patchy and a lot more needed to be done at the urban areas while that of the rural area should be intensified. The experts made the call at a day's panel discussion of primary health care organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as part of the organisation's 60 anniversary and... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
White Ribbon Alliance Calls for International Monetary Fund and World Bank to Invest in Women's Health Apr 12, 2008
" Experts estimate a package of maternal health services costing less than US$1.50 per person could make significant improvements in women's health in the 75 countries where 95% of maternal and child deaths occur. However, funding for population, family planning and reproductive health has declined since the mid-1990s, especially if HIV/AIDS money is excluded. Meanwhile, aid to the least developed countries has essentially stalled since 2003. "Just as the International Monetary Fund and World... (PR Newswire)
UK move worsens maternal habits Apr 12, 2008
A maternal health expert said it was "sad" that unhealthy habits became normal among immigrant groups. The research looked at women taking part in the Millennium Cohort Study who had babies between September 2000 and January 2002. (BBC News -- Health)
South Asia to fall short of MDG:IMF-WB Apr 9, 2008
As the report shows, reducing malnutrition has a 'multiplier' effect, contributing to success in other MDGs including maternal health, infant mortality, and education, he added. The Global Monitoring Report: MDGs and the Environment -- Agenda for Inclusive and Sustainable Development has stressed on the link between environment and development, and calls for urgent action on climate change. (India Times)
Development goals 'falling short' Apr 9, 2008
"I am particularly concerned about the risk of meeting the goals of reducing hunger and malnutrition," World Bank President Robert Zoellick added, "which has a multiplier effect for success in other goals including maternal health, infant mortality and education.". These poverty goals are not lofty ideals, but realistic and achievable target. (BBC News -- South Asia)
Press Release: Progress toward nutrition, health, education, and other development goals off track, Global Monitoring Report Finds Apr 9, 2008
"As the report shows, reducing malnutrition has a `multiplier' effect, contributing to success in other MDGs including maternal health, infant mortality, and education.". The Global Monitoring Report: MDGs and the Environment Agenda for Inclusive and Sustainable Development stresses the link between environment and development and calls for urgent action on climate change. (IMF News)
Bread for the World seeks to end hunger Apr 7, 2008
More work needs to be done to reach the 2015 Millennium Development Goals (MDG), which includes eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, ensuring primary education for every child, promoting gender equality, reducing child mortality and improving maternal health. Every country in the world joined into an agreement in 2000 to work toward the MDG.. (Rapid City Journal, SD)
Maternal mortality drops in Brong Ahafo Apr 3, 2008
Mrs Djokotoe urged her colleagues to introduce integrated maternal health by screening pregnant women for HIV/AIDS to prevent mother-to-child transmission. Mrs Christiana Annor-Appiah, regional chairperson of the association, appealed to the Ministry of Heath and Ghana Health Services to include private midwives in the vehicle purchasing scheme for health workers to facilitate their operations. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
MTN Foundation launches health project Apr 2, 2008
The statement said the Foundation selected the maternity block because of its importance as the national referral point for the provision of critical and specialised maternal health care. "The Korle bu maternity block currently lacks several facilities including adequate numbers of labour wards, operating theatres and state of the art equipment to efficiently provide health care for pregnant women and babies. "As a specialist unit, services of the maternity block are national in nature and... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
European Funding of Gender Selective Abortions Must End Apr 1, 2008
The Guardian, the leading leftwing British newspaper, reported that the revolt sought to cut funding for maternal health in developing nations. In fact, the Conservatives tried to amend the report to prioritise reproductive health towards issues such as obstetric and traumatic fistula, and the presence of skilled birth attendants; which according to the UNFPA are the most important means for reducing maternal mortality (Millennium Development Goal 5). (Human Events Online)
Need for well-co-ordinated aid assistance in health sector Mar 28, 2008
six which were child health, maternal health and disease control respectively and noted that short term donor financing was difficult to plan with and this hampered smooth transition of health programmes. He explained that sometimes some donors choose projects they want to support at the detriment of an entire programme and gave an example of a. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
When tax-free salaries count as aid Mar 27, 2008
Maternal health is one example where a decade of neglect is producing some scary statistics in the Pacific, even while Papua New Guinea and the Solomons record positive growth rates. To its credit, the Rudd Government is thus far making the right moves: mending relations with PNG and the Pacific, delivering an urgent and much needed increase to the aid budget and making a much needed commitment to improving access to public education and public health. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
MCE advocates for compulsory registration for NHIS Mar 27, 2008
The Deputy Central Regional Director of Health, Nana Owusu-Boampong, appealed to the people to patronize it to particularly safeguard maternal health service delivery. The Regional Minister Nana Ato Arthur who inaugurated the facility, pledged to provide a generator for the facility and that the road leading to the area will be rehabilitated. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Health ministers, Grange, Aduku resign over graft charges Mar 26, 2008
Oladapo Ashiru said: "It is unfortunate that Prof. Adenike Grange has to leave office this way. She has a lot of good plans for the health sector especially on child and maternal health. She is a world renowned paediatrician and was the President of International Paediatric Association before she was appointed minister on July 25, 2007, the first female Minister of Health.". It is believed that with the resignations more ministers may be exposed. (Guardian News, Nigeria)
Fatal Misconception Mar 22, 2008
" In fairness, while IUDs were dangerous, so was pregnancy. The planners reasoned that while many people would suffer or die from botched sterilizations or contraception, tens of thousands fewer women would die in childbirth. Unfortunately, they showed little interest in maternal health care, and they often mixed an admirable impulse to serve humanity with a blithe contempt for individual humans. It didn't help that the planners were virtually all Western men who had little understanding of life... (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
Health Ministry to assist Sierra Leone improve its health system Mar 18, 2008
Dr. George Amofa, Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Health Services answered questions on Ghana's maternal health interventions as well as blood transfusion services. Dr Eddie Addai, Director for Policy Planning Monitoring and Evaluation of the Ministry advised the delegation to consider integrating aides into their budgets to ensure effective dialogue and monitoring of activities funded by international donors. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Estrogen Linked to Breast Cancer Recurrence Mar 9, 2008
The Fertility and Maternal Health Drugs Advisory Committee recently recommended the continued marketing of all current OC (oral contraceptives) doses on the market. findings suggest that: 1) there is no evidence of an increase in risk of cancer of breast. (MedHeadlines)
Uganda: First Lady Pledges On Maternal Health Mar 8, 2008
com: Uganda: First Lady Pledges On Maternal Health (Page 1 of 1) ... Uganda: First Lady Pledges On Maternal Health. (allAfrica.com)
SIERRA LEONE: "If you are really sick you either die or go to Freetown" Mar 8, 2008
Running water in the first floor of Princess Christian Maternal Health hospital is only on for an average of one hour every day, hospital staff said usually in the dead of night. "We all run around and fill as many buckets as we can before the pipes go dry again," said Sister Rugiatu Kanu, showing IRIN the plastic containers lined up along the walls of the hospital's surgery. (AlertNet)
Brown's poverty plan must confront discrimination against women says ActionAid Mar 7, 2008
Fri, 7 Mar 05:47:38 GMT. The views expressed are the author's alone. (AlertNet)
Africa: Human Rights Protections Urgently Needed for Female HIV ... Mar 7, 2008
And it calls for one-stop care that includes both AIDS services and basic health care (TB care, maternal health care, trauma care, etc. so that women's health care is coordinated, not delivered piecemeal. (AllAfrica.com)
Good news: Karlo will live Mar 7, 2008
That makes it all the more stunning that Bush's proposed budget for 2009 cuts U.S. funding for child and maternal health programs around the world by nearly 18 percent. Fortunately, all the candidates are saying the right things about malaria, AIDS and support for education in Africa (although John McCain is fuzzier about commitments). (International Herald Tribune)
Aid for Africa Mar 7, 2008
St. Michael s gave a $1,000 grant to those programs, made possible by the proceeds of our Spring Auction which raises funds for local and international relief efforts (from the Holliston Food Pantry to feeding programs in Kenya and maternal health projects in Ethiopia). Bishop Shaw reported that our diocese s work of caring for AIDS orphans in Maseno, Kenya, was all the more urgent because many Kenyans were unable to meet their basic needs for safety, security, food and shelter. (Hopkinton Town Crier, MA)
Maternity mortality gap 'widening in developing nations' Mar 4, 2008
The committee found that of all health indicators maternal health shows the widest gap between rich and poor countries ... They called for action to make maternal health provision free across the world. (ABC Online)
MPs in maternal deaths warning Mar 2, 2008
A Commons international development committee report said there was a lack of political will to improve maternal health in developing countries ... The government said it would play a "leading role" in working to improve maternal health across the world ... The committee's report - published to coincide with Mothers' Day in the UK - praised DFID for its work helping to improve maternal health around the world. (BBC News -- UK)
Tobacco Use, Secondhand Smoke Exposure During Pregnancy, May Threaten Health Of Women And Children Mar 1, 2008
Pregnant women are a priority population for tobacco prevention efforts because tobacco use poses serious risks to fetal and maternal health. Smoking during pregnancy causes a number of problems, including preterm delivery, low birth weight and sudden infant death syndrome. (Science Daily)
Bush Pressures US Congress to Boost AIDS Funding for Africa Feb 21, 2008
" The president's calls for a doubling of AIDS funding has renewed the debate over PEPFAR's insistence that one-third of the 20 percent of funding for prevention must focus on abstinence. "There are a bunch of divisive issues in the reauthorization about abstinence, reproductive health, needle exchange, and there are ongoing debates about whether PEPFAR is too much and too predominant and too exceptional and whether it's crowding out other worthy health and developmental initiatives - child... (Voice of America)
Westminster College, nation unite through ONE project Feb 21, 2008
Improve maternal health. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases. (Fulton Sun, MO)
