By Azka Asif, Rotary Service and Engagement Staff
According to the World Health Organization, nearly 830 women die every day from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. 99% of maternal deaths occur in developing countries where nearly half of all mothers and newborns do not receive care during and after birth. The leading causes of death for children under 5 are birth complications, pneumonia, birth asphyxia, diarrhea and malaria. These deaths can be prevented and treated with access to healthcare services.*
Healthcare before, during and after childbirth can save the lives of women and newborn babies. The United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages, addresses all major health priorities, including reproductive, maternal and child health; access for all to safe, effective, quality and affordable medicines and vaccines.*
Rotary members are working diligently towards this goal through projects that provide education, immunizations, birth kits, mobile health clinics, and much more. Women are taught how to prevent mother-to-infant HIV transmission, how to breast-feed, and how to protect themselves and their children from disease.