The United Nations and WHO launched the “Global Strategy for Women’s and Children’s Health” – described as a concerted world-wide effort to save the lives of more than 16 million women and children – at the global summit on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in New York. Stakeholders pledged over US$40 billion in resources for women’s and children’ health as part of the strategy.  WHO said “leaders from government, international organizations, business, academia, philanthropy, health professional associations and civil society have come together to develop this strategy, recognizing that the health of women and children is key to progress on all development goals. The Global Strategy calls for all partners to unite and take real action.”

The announcement noted that execution of the new strategy in the 49 lowest-income countries could help assure that in 2015:

– 43 million new users have access to comprehensive family planning,

– 19 million more women give birth supported by a skilled health worker, with the necessary infrastructure, drugs, equipment and regulations,

– 2.2 million additional neonatal infections are treated,

– 21.9 million more infants are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life,

– 15.2 million more children are fully immunized in their first year of life

– 117 million more children under five receive vitamin A supplements, and

– 85,000 more quality health facilities and up to 3.5 million more health workers are available.

More documentation and announcement content at:

http://www.who.int/pmnch/activities/jointactionplan/en/index.html