Maternal & Child Health

Every year more 500,000 women suffer & die as a result of complications during pregnancy, birth & the first few days after birth. Almost 9 million children, under the age of 5, die every year from preventable causes. This is the biggest child rights violation of our time & yet, the solutions to maternal & child deaths are well known, proven & cost effective.

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  1. In Nigeria, keeping up immunisation is difficult without stable access to healthcare.
  2. In Laos, mothers attend a general health check up thanks to a visiting mobile health clinic.
  3. Educating mothers about nutrition and hygiene build awareness of healthcare at a community level.
  4. By funding health with at least 15% of their annual budget, governments can improve healthcare for mothers and children.
  5. Nurse Edward Banda travels vast distances across Zambia to bring healthcare to mothers.
  6. Monitoring children’s health through regular weighing is a proven way of spotting malnutrition before it strikes.
  7. Carrying children to a neighbouring village for healthcare is common in Tanzania and many other developing nations.
  8. By teaching other mothers in Bangladesh about hygiene and cooking healthy meals Shkahina is breaking the cycle of malnutrition.

What is this about?

Mothers and their children are the most vulnerable members of any society. Globally, more than 8.8 million children die of preventable causes before the age of 5*. They die mostly of diseases like diarrhoea and pneumonia - diseases that are entirely preventable.

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Who is it happening to?

Globally, more than half a million mothers die during childbirth every year. Add to this the 8.8 million children who die before they turn five and the true scale of this crisis is apparent. The real tragedy is that many of these deaths can be prevented.

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Where is it happening?

Australia has one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the world. In many other countries, giving birth isn’t as safe. Over 60% of 8.8 million child deaths worldwide occur in just six countries: India, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Pakistan, China and Ethiopia.

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Why is it happening?

Every year, half a million mothers die due to complications during birth and close to 9 million children die before they reach 5. Of these deaths, 99% are in the developing world. So why is it happening?

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What is our response?

World Vision has worked on health issues globally for more than 50 years, so we know that focusing on maternal and child health can bring lasting change. We want to support learning about nutrition, disease prevention and sanitation while improving access to medical care.

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How you can help?

World Vision is tackling the problem of maternal and child health head on. We have programs addressing health in the field as well as a global advocacy campaign that everyone can be involved with.

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Let's talk about it

Your vision

Desiree Sedotan
Jan 08, 2010

"May the God Bless The Great World Vision. Particularly in the PHILIPPINES World Vision..."

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Patricia Dekretser
Dec 11, 2009

"This was eye opening story about the mothers of Malawi, how all mothers love their babies. thankyou Virginia for sharing this story. Our children don't know how luc..."

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Anna
Nov 30, 2009

"Hi,<br />What an inspirational story.<br />I was wondering if as a result of your story the DOWA hospital now has runnig water, power and a larger delivery room?<br..."

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