The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health, Secretariat hosted by the World Health Organization 20 avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland, tel: +41 22 791 2595 fax: +41 22 791 5854 www.pmnch.org

RMNCH in the news: 7-13 November 2011 UN chief arrives in Bangladesh on 4-day tour Zee News (INDIA) – 13 November 2011 ... three-nation Asian tour that would later take him to Thailand and Indonesia. ... tour is aimed to spotlight progress on women's and children's health. ... Rwanda: Media Urged to Be Champions for Safe Motherhood AllAfrica.com – 13 November 2011 In order to improve maternal health and family planning in Rwanda, the media has been called upon to play a role and inform the public on the good practices of safe motherhood and family planning. During a media workshop on safe motherhood and family ... Groundbreaking "Our Bodies, Ourselves" book marks 40th anniversary Journal Times – 13 November 2011 In addition to its books, which are available in 25 languages, the organization has a website at www.ourbodiesourselves.org and a blog at ourbodiesourblog.org. And on Oct. 1, OBOS hosted a global symposium on women's health information at Boston University. Women from as far away as Japan, Nepal and India came and shared their thoughts and concerns about a variety of issues … Childbirth in Developing Countries World Press Review – 13 November 2011 For many women, childbirth is a natural and beautiful experience through which new life is brought into the world. But for women who live in developing countries such as Niger, India or Uganda, childbirth is a risky endeavor. … EA population to hit 400m by 2050 as concerns grow East African – 13 November 2011 In Uganda, four in every 10 married women would like to use family planning services but neither have access to services nor supplies. In Tanzania, slightly more than six per cent … Serious mortality risk at home AsiaOne – 13 November 2011 In Malaysia, there is a law -- (Part V of the Midwives Act 1966 (revised - 1990) -- to ensure the safety of a mother during childbirth: a trained birth attendant must be in attendance during the delivery. In Malaysia, this means registered midwives as ... A shield for our young Malaysia Star – 13 November 2011 The implementation of the GAPP interventions to protect (breastfeeding), prevent (vaccinations) and treat (case management) in the 68 high child mortality countries would potentially avert up to 1.2 million post-neonatal pneumonia deaths annually by ... Free health mela and sterilization camp MorungExpress (INDIA) – 13 November 2011 Dimapur, November 13 (MExN): With the goals to universalize access to public health services, reduce infant and maternal mortality rate, prevent and control communicable and non-communicable diseases, to stabilized population and promote healthy ...

The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health, Secretariat hosted by the World Health Organization Room V103, 20 avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland, tel: +41 22 791 2595 fax: +41 22 791 5854 www.pmnch.org

Ethiopian child mortality rates drop by half China Post – 13 November 2011 ADDIS ABABA--Ethiopia has more than halved its child mortality rates since 1990 through campaigns to increase the number of health workers and clinics throughout the country, government and aid officials said on Friday. The Horn of Africa nation has ... Over 3 lakh kids die of pneumonia in India Daily News & Analysis (INDIA) – 13 November 2011 Despite sustained campaigns against infectious diseases, India has one of the highest number of flu-related pneumonia deaths among children. According to a new study, out of 1.4 million pneumonia deaths worldwide (more than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined), 3,70,000 are Indian children below five years. Out of these 7% die of flu-related pneumonia. Pneumonia accounts for 20 per cent deaths in children: Deputy Minister Ghana News Agency – 13 November 2011 Pneumonia accounts for 20 per cent of all children's under five death cases worldwide though it can be prevented with a simple intervention and treatment, Deputy Minister of Women and Children and Affairs (MOWAC), Hajia Hawawu Boya Gariba, on Saturday said. World Pneumonia Day: Pneumonia vaccine to be introduced from 2012 The Express Tribune (PAKISTAN) – 13 November 2011 To curtail pneumonia death toll among children, pneumococcal vaccine will be introduced in routine immunization from 2012. This was announced by United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Health and Nutrition Chief Mohammed Cisse at a seminar, titled “Fight Pneumonia- Save a Child”, organised by the Aga Khan Health Service Pakistan (AKHSP) to mark World Pneumonia Day … Mother, child week to start from November 14 The Express Tribune (PAKISTAN) – 13 November 2011 Each year, 432000 children under five years of age and, 20000 women die in labour. Speakers at the launching ceremony of Mother Child Week, organised by the United Nations Children's Fund's health department on Saturday, spoke about the precarious ... Mother and child week begins in 24 districts Pakistan Observer – 13 November 2011 National Programme for Family Planning and Primary Health Care, Ministry of Health is launching the Mother & Child Week, from 14-19 November 2011.The partners include National Programmes on EPI, National Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Program and ... UN chief Ban in Bangladesh, to survey health projects Monsters and Critics.com – 13 November 2011 Ban was to survey Bangladesh's progress in maternal and child health care in rural communities, and visit the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research during his three-day visit. He was also scheduled to meet the families of Bangladeshi ... Ban Ki-moon arrives today Financial Express Bangladesh – 13 November 2011 A key purpose of his visit is to showcase the progress and leadership of these countries in advancing women's and children's health in the context of the ...

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Ban Ki-moon arrives Sunday Bangladesh News 24 hours – 13 November 2011 He will also meet private sector leaders on women's and children's health. After Bangladesh, Ban will fly to Thailand where he will visit the flood-affected ... UN chief arrives in Dhaka Sunday Daily Star Online (BANGLADESH) – 12 November 2011 The key purpose of his visit is to showcase the progress and leadership of ... and Indonesia – in the advancement of women's and children's health in the ... Action plan against malnutrition favours synergy of departments Deccan Herald (INDIA) – 12 November 2011 In the midst of all this, accountability has to be pinned on someone for tracking the health of a pregnant woman, child and mothers of new borns. ... Effect of reduction in household air pollution on childhood pneumonia in Guatemala (RESPIRE): a randomised controlled trial The Lancet – 12 November 2011 In a population heavily exposed to wood smoke from cooking, a reduction in exposure achieved with chimney stoves did not significantly reduce physician-diagnosed pneumonia for children younger than 18 months. The significant reduction of a third in severe pneumonia, however … Pneumonia Vaccines Could Save Millions Voice of America – 12 November 2011 Related Articles Ethiopia Recruits Health 'Army' to Combat Child Mortality, Malnutrition Community-based 'Health Development Army' will work to combat malnutrition, child mortality Thai Medical Authorities Concerned About Disease Outbreaks in Flood-Hit ... World Pneumonia Day to combat child mortality Al-Masry Al-Youm – 12 November 2011 If asked to answer what the number one killer disease of children under five was, many would assume AIDS, or an exotic disease such as malaria. Few however, would say pneumonia, and that it takes more lives of children under five annually than AIDS, ... Letter, 11/13: Improve maternal, child health Lincoln Journal Star – 12 November 2011 However, as Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, head of the United Nations Population Fund, suggests, our population is far from healthy, particularly in least industrialized nations. One way to improve our species' well-being is to improve maternal and child ... International gynaecology meet in Bangalore IBNLive.com – 12 November 2011 They were participating at the three-day international congress on Women's health Care titled 'Journey through the ages,' which was inaugurated on Friday. The deliberations on innovative methodologies to deal with the challenges in the Indian context ...

The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health, Secretariat hosted by the World Health Organization Room V103, 20 avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland, tel: +41 22 791 2595 fax: +41 22 791 5854 www.pmnch.org

Targeting of household air pollution: interpretation of RESPIRE The Lancet – 12 November 2011 An estimated 3 million infants and children younger than 5 years die every year from pneumonia in developing countries.1 Exposure to household air pollution emitted from biomass fuels has been implicated in about a third of these cases.2 Observational and case-control studies have reported an association between exposure to household air pollution and lower respiratory tract infections.3 However, until now, no randomized controlled intervention trials had been done in children … DOH deploys midwives in Pantawid Pamilya areas Philippine Information Agency – 12 November 2011 ... to the towns of Jamindan, Panay, Tapaz, Maayon, President Roxas, Pilar and Sapian by the Department of Health, will provide services in the birthing center as well as undertake programs on maternal and child health, nutrition and newborn screening. ... How India's health care woes gave birth to private medicine Toronto Star – 12 November 2011 But the federal government made it — and maternal health — a priority following the lead of several Indian states. The eastern state of Assam, for instance, has made a breakthrough coaxing men to have vasectomies. In 2009, 15000 men had the procedure ... Make maternal health a national priority - MOWAC Ghana Broadcasting Corporation – 12 November 2011 The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs has increased essential nutrition actions in therapeutic, complementary and supplementary feeding of infants, pregnant women, nursing mothers and People Living with HIV and AIDS. ... Mother & child week to be observed in 3 IDPs' camps The News International (PAKISTAN) – 12 November 2011 PESHAWAR: Like the 25 districts of the province, Mother and Child Week (November 14-19) would also be observed in three camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) to create awareness about mother and child health and provide necessary immunisation ... MOWAC to address challenges of maternal mortality Ghana News Agency = 12 November 2011 She said the association is joining forces in the achievement of the MDGs, improving maternal and child health focused on adolescent access to reproductive health care and services. Others are informed home-based care for child survival and development ... Community management of severe pneumonia in children The Lancet – 11 November 2011 Pneumonia is the most common cause of death and hospital admission in children younger than 5 years. 151 million of 156 million cases every year arise in the developing world and 1·6 million children will die. UNICEF has called pneumonia “the forgotten killer of children”.3 Most cases of pneumonia occur where diagnostic facilities and health staff are in short supply. For these reasons WHO made the pragmatic decision to define pneumonia according to a few clinical signs …

The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health, Secretariat hosted by the World Health Organization Room V103, 20 avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland, tel: +41 22 791 2595 fax: +41 22 791 5854 www.pmnch.org

Community case management of severe pneumonia with oral amoxicillin in children aged 2–59 months in Haripur district, Pakistan: a cluster randomised trial The Lancet – 11 November 2011 Community case management could result in a standardised treatment for children with severe pneumonia, reduce delay in treatment initiation, and reduce the costs for families and … GUINEA: Free maternal healthcare unsustainable IRINnews.org – 11 November 2011 The scheme would have more impact on maternal mortality if ante-natal and post-natal care visits were also covered, said Julien Harneis head of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Guinea. “The approach is too medicalised - covering ante-natal ... Child health and the 12th Plan MorungExpress – 11 November 2011 The accountability matrix defining the responsibilities of functionaries of the health, women and child development, water and sanitation departments at the ... Experts task FG on inclusion of pneumococcal vaccine in routine immunisation BusinessDay – 11 November 2011 ... of major concern to health experts in view of the fact that about a million children under the age of 5 die annually from preventable childhood diseases which include pneumonia, diarrhoea, malaria, malnutrition and neonatal problems in the country. .. Kenya to fight pneumonia using community health workers Africa Science News – 11 November 2011 In a bid to help reduce childhood deaths due to pneumonia, the government of Kenya has embarked on training community healthcare workers to diagnose cases at household levels early. Pneumonia kills 100 Kenyan children mostly in rural areas daily. World Pneumonia Day being marked today PakistanToday.com.pk – 11 November 2011 Amidst a global health workforce crisis, Pakistan is one of a growing number of low-income countries to deploy community health workers to improve child and maternal health. In Pakistan, Lady Health Workers receive several months training, ... See all stories on this topic » Most children with pneumonia can be treated at home by LHWs The News (PAKISTAN) – 11 November 2011 Children with severe pneumonia who were treated by Lady Health Workers (LHWs) at home with simple, oral antibiotics were more likely to get well than children who were referred to a health facility, as previously recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO), reveal the results of a study conducted in Haripur, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Eritrea: Agordat Sub-Zone - Awareness Regarding Mother and Child Health Care ... AllAfrica.com – 11 November 2011 He said that the inhabitants of 15 administrative areas are receiving medical treatment in their locality, and as a result mother and child mortality rate has dropped significantly. Mr. Mahdere further explained that the extensive health campaign ...

The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health, Secretariat hosted by the World Health Organization Room V103, 20 avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland, tel: +41 22 791 2595 fax: +41 22 791 5854 www.pmnch.org

Ban to spotlight health progress on Asian tour Washington Bangla Radio – 11 November 2011 ... advances in the three Asian nations on women's and children's health. ... aims to help countries work together to improve women and children's health, ... UN leader to visit Bangladesh, Thailand and Indonesia Monsters and Critics.com – 11 November 2011 The visit is to 'showcase the progress and leadership of these countries in advancing women's and children's health in the context of the Every Woman Every ... Maternal care poor in Phulwari block Times of India – 11 November 2011 ... or investigation further minimizes the two communities' access to maternal health services. The problem gets worsened when the communities have to pay for services like vaccination or cutting of umbilical cord of the newly-born child in many cases. ... Health Dept, AKHSP reach agreement Chitral News – 11 November 2011 Due to non-availability of female health care providers, the RHC Mastuj could not be functionalized completely, especially the Maternal & Child Health services. Under the new arrangement … NZ children more at risk of pneumonia than children in other developed countries NZ Doctor (Press Release) – 11 November 2011 Dr Cameron Grant, Associate Professor in Paediatrics at the University of Auckland and a Paediatrician at Starship, says that while only a small percentage of New Zealand children die from pneumonia … Exclusive: Julia Roberts speaks out this World Pneumonia Day USA Today – 11 November 2011 This World Pneumonia Day I'm speaking out as a mother about the leading killer of children under the age of 5. Pneumonia kills about 1.4 million young children annually, 99% of whom die in … Guinea: Free Childbirth Unsustainable, Say Critics AllAfrica.com – 11 November 2011 Conakry — Mortality rates in Guinea have dropped significantly over the past two decades, but efforts to speed up progress on the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) to reduce maternal mortality by three-quarters by 2015 through a ban on childbirth fees ... Ethiopia Recruits Health Army to Combat Child Mortality, Malnutrition Voice of America – 11 November 2011 Ethiopia is organizing what it calls a Health Development Army aimed at lowering child mortality rates and improving the quality of ... First Lady calls for reduction in maternal mortality Ghana News Agency – 11 November 2011 She appealed to non-governmental organizations, individuals and stakeholders on health to intensify efforts and mobilize resources to accelerate the reduction of maternal mortality. Dr Mrs Naadu-Mills made the call when she launched the Accelerated ...

The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health, Secretariat hosted by the World Health Organization Room V103, 20 avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland, tel: +41 22 791 2595 fax: +41 22 791 5854 www.pmnch.org

One fifth of child pneumonia deaths occur in Pakistan Associated Press of Pakistan – 11 November 2011 “Pneumonia kills more children than any other illness, but it is among the most solvable problems in global health, “ Pneumonia expert, Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health, World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva, ... Woodsmoke from fire ups penumonia risk Times of India – 11 November 2011 The studies led by University of California, Berkeley researchers indicated that women and young children in poverty are particularly vulnerable to the health effects of smoke from open fires and dirty cookstoves, the primary source of cooking and ... Crippling statistics: All 8 of Karachi’s polio cases from Pakhtun families The Express Tribune – 10 November 2011 Experts are alarmed that all eight of Karachi’s polio cases have surfaced from Pashto-speaking families. Indeed, the numbers indicate that Pakhtun children are five times more likely to contract the crippling virus than children from other backgrounds. World Pneumonia Day: Past lessons, future progress Global Post (OP/ED) – 10 November 2011 But today – just two years after the newest generation pneumococcal vaccines were introduced in the US – children in the world’s poorest countries have also begun to receive it. This year, thanks to the tireless work of partners, 16 low-income countries will have introduced pneumococcal vaccines, 12 of them in sub-Saharan Africa – and 18 more are on track to do so in the near future. In Latin America over 18 countries are already using this vaccine in their national immunization programs … Secretary-General Reports to Assembly on UN Role at Recent G-20 Summit ... IEWY News – 10 November 2011 Successful examples include our efforts on women's and children's health, food and nutrition security, and sustainable energy. On food and nutrition ... Strategy to achieve MDGs Daily Star Online – 10 November 2011 Several areas lagging behind are primary school completion rate, adult literacy rate, access to safe drinking water by the rural people and maternal mortality ratio. The participation of women in wage employment is still low. ... Study Offers New Hope to Prevent Leading Cause of Child Death-Right Before ... MarketWatch (press release) – 10 November 2011 Amidst a global health workforce crisis, Pakistan is one of a growing number of low-income countries to deploy community health workers to improve child and maternal health. In Pakistan, Lady Health Workers receive several months training, ... New Study Offers Hope In Preventing Childhood Pneumonia Deaths Care2.com (blog) – 10 November 2011 Pneumonia is the leading cause of child mortality worldwide — killing more than 1.4 million children each year. The bitter irony of course, is that pneumonia is both preventable and treatable, but in the developing world, where the local health clinic ...

The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health, Secretariat hosted by the World Health Organization Room V103, 20 avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland, tel: +41 22 791 2595 fax: +41 22 791 5854 www.pmnch.org

Child Deaths in Bengal - frightening picture Times of India (blog) – 10 November 2011 In a wider perspective but in a familiar tone, the UK based medical journal, The Lancet quoted a United Nations (UN) estimate of about 2·35 million children deaths in India in 2005. This figure corresponded to more than 20% of all deaths in children younger than 5 years worldwide, which was more than in any other country. Further facts that rolled out are graver ... First lady urges assemblies to mobilise resources to reduce maternal deaths Ghana News Agency – 10 November 2011 He therefore called on the district assemblies to support the district health management teams to put in place efficient systems to facilitate improved maternal and child health and reduction of maternal mortality. First lady urges assemblies to ... Global Vaccine Campaign for Top Baby Killer 'Unprecedented' PBS Newshour (USA) – 10 November 2011 The number one killer of young children around the world isn't malaria, measles or HIV. It's pneumonia, and each year more children die from the lung infection than from those three, much higher-profile diseases combined. A global push to bring a vaccine against the bacterial cause of pneumonia to communities that need it most is ramping up quickly, expanding to nearly 60 countries in the next five years. Shot in arm: Ban on injectable contraceptives likely to go Financial Express – 10 November 2011 New Delhi: The choice for family planning may get a boost as the government is considering removing the ban on injectable contraceptives. These monthly, bi-monthly and sometimes once-in-three-month injections for women containing synthetic hormones ... Wood smoke from cooking fires linked to pneumonia, cognitive impacts UC Berkeley News Center (USA) – 10 November 2011 Two new studies led by University of California, Berkeley, researchers spotlight the human health effects of exposure to smoke from open fires and dirty cookstoves, the primary source of … Namibia: CCN to Address High Maternal Mortality AllAfrica.com – 10 November 2011 Oshakati — Concerned by the high rate of teenage pregnancies, HIV/Aids and Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR), the Council of Churches in Namibia (CCN) started a workshop on Tuesday to run until tomorrow at Oshakati to proffer solutions to the grave ... First Lady launches campaign on Maternal Mortality in Upper East BusinessGhana – 10 November 2011 The First Lady, Mrs Ernestina Naadu Mills, has launched a campaign on Maternal Mortality in Bolgatanga with a call on district assemblies, traditional authorities, NGOs and the private sector to show more commitment to reducing the menace. ... Tens of thousands of tots die from flu each year MSNBC (USA) – 10 November 2011 Tens of thousands of young children die around the world each year of influenza-related respiratory illness, most of them in developing countries, according to a newly released study. …

The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health, Secretariat hosted by the World Health Organization Room V103, 20 avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland, tel: +41 22 791 2595 fax: +41 22 791 5854 www.pmnch.org

Seminar on proper use of Partograph organised Ghana News Agency – 10 November 2011 Stakeholders at a seminar on Maternal Deaths have called on the Nurses and Midwives Council to re-consider replacing the existing Partograph which had been in existence in Ghana since 1989 with a new version. They argued that the Partograph fell short of important details such as the Latent Phase in the labour process, which was a critical period for the safety of both mother and infant. ... Polio immunization ends in Tema Ghana News Agency – 10 November 2011 A total of 78,724 children have been immunized in Tema and its environs during this year’s Polio Immunization Exercise which started from October 27 to October 29. Aliyu Commends Traditional Rulers for Polio Eradication All Africa – 10 November 2011 Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State has commended traditional rulers in the state for mobilising their subjects to present their wards for polio vaccination in order to eradicate the killer disease. Ghana launches initiative to reduce maternal mortality Ghana Broadcasting Corporation – 9 November 2011 The First Lady, Mrs. Ernestina Naadu Mills, has launched a campaign for accelerated reduction of maternal mortality in Africa. The event in Tamale was attended by District Chief Executives, traditional rulers as well as stakeholders in the health sector. Activities of Secretary-General in France, 2-4 November IEWY News – 9 November 2011 At the Group of 20 (G-20) Summit in Cannes, on 3 and 4 November, the Secretary-General ... such as the successful efforts on women's and children's health, ... Malawi's unsafe abortion toll Red Pepper – 9 November 2011 The healthcare bill to deal with abortion-related complications including perforation, haemorrhage, organ failure, and incomplete terminations can be up to 4 times what it costs to provide family planning services. Significantly, in rare instances when ... VivaCell neonatal care project expands to new regions of Armenia Aysor – 9 November 2011 Every year, more than 4 million infants die in the first year of life. 98 percent of the cases are registered in the developing countries. 65 percent of lethal cases are registered within the first month, with two third of them – during the first week, and more than half – within the first 24 hours after the birth. The World Health Organization says the level of infant mortality in Armenia exceeds the level in countries like US and Great Britain for four times. ... VivaCell-MTS contributes to infant mortality reduction PanARMENIAN.Net – 9 November 2011 VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian and BirthLink NGO Director Kathy Mellor visited neonatal departments in Maralik and Artik hospitals. As VivaCell-MTS press service reported, maternity hospitals are in severe need of ...

The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health, Secretariat hosted by the World Health Organization Room V103, 20 avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland, tel: +41 22 791 2595 fax: +41 22 791 5854 www.pmnch.org

Naadu Mills Takes Maternal Mortality Campaign Nation-Wide Vibe Ghana – 9 November 2011 The First Lady, Dr. Mrs. Ernestina Naadu Mills, yesterday embarked on a campaign of the nation in the Upper East regional capital Bolgatanga, to vigorously fight maternal mortality across The campaign dubbed 'Campaign for Accelerated Reduction of ... Matters in Healthcare: The legal implications of having a home birth in Bermuda Bermuda Sun – 9 November 2011 Under the Midwives Act 1949, Section 2(b), a registered midwife, working in conjunction with a physician, can offer delivery services. It is illegal for any other person to attend a woman in childbirth whether for gain or not, “unless it is under the .. One day stakeholders' conference on safe motherhood held in Wa Myjoyonline.com – 9 November 2011 Speaking at the launch of the forum, the Wa Municipal Director of the Ghana Health Services, Madam Beatrice Kumfah said the forum seeks to launch the family planning, breast feeding and safe motherhood week in the municipality by sensitizing key ... American midwife discovers challenges of medicine in Haiti Public Radio International PRI – 9 November 2011 Back home, Curtiss only deals with uncomplicated pregnancies. In Haiti, women have extremely high blood pressure, anemia, even cholera. These are the sickest patients she has ever seen, and the hospital staff doesn’t seem to have enough time for anyone ... HHS Awards Guam $73684 for Maternal and Child Health Services Pacific News Center – 8 November 2011 In a release the Congresswoman says that this discretionary grant will benefit the Maternal and Child Health services division of DPHSS. DPHSS's Maternal and Child Health division is responsible for ensuring quality and accessible health care services ... 10 million antibiotics prescriptions written for children unnecessarily every year … New York Daily News – 8 November 2011 A new study found over 10 million antibiotics prescriptions are written for children unnecessarily each year - a practice that is contributing to frightening spikes in potentially drug resistant diseases, Reuters reported. Liberia turns to men to fill shortages in midwives WBEZ – 8 November 2011 Most of these deaths could be prevented with access to trained midwives, but there's a dire shortage of them in the country. Recently, a school for midwives in a remote corner of Liberia decided to break from tradition to meet the demand. ... Hard Lessons for American Midwife Volunteer in Haiti PRI's The World – 8 November 2011 Haiti is in desperate need of skilled medical workers, a need exacerbated by last year’s earthquake. Many Americans have volunteered to help, but in a place where basic needs go unmet and security is tenuous, those volunteers can find that the skills they have to offer aren’t enough ...

The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health, Secretariat hosted by the World Health Organization Room V103, 20 avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland, tel: +41 22 791 2595 fax: +41 22 791 5854 www.pmnch.org

DoH-7 intensifies newborn screening campaign Manila Bulletin – 8 November 2011 DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Philippines — The Department of Health in Region 7 (DoH-7) is intensifying its advocacy on the Newborn Screening (NBS) program which is directed at the early detection of certain genetic, metabolic and/or infectious ... Men urged to play positive role Times of Zambia – 8 November 2011 By Ketra Kalunga PLANNED Parenthood Association of Zambia (PPAZ) programmes manager Henry Kaimba has said men should be equal partners in reproductive health in order to attain the millennium development goals (MDGs) on reducing maternal mortality ... Surviving premature babies in Malawi continue to have poor growth rates and ... HealthCanal.com – 8 November 2011 The authors, led by Nynke Van Den Broek from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, and Melissa Gladstone, from the University of Liverpool say that their findings show that in addition to interventions in the immediate neonatal period, a focus on early childhood is needed to improve outcomes for infants born prematurely in low-income settings. ... Wa Municipal Health Directorate initiates classes for pregnant women GhanaWeb – 8 November 2011 She said from now on, anytime a pregnant mother or a child dies in the community, stakeholders such as the chief, landlord, assembly member and health staff working in that community would be held responsible. She appealed to urged men to accompany ... First Lady Takes Marternal Mortality Campaign Nation-Wide GhanaWeb – 8 November 2011 The First Lady, Dr. Mrs. Ernestina Naadu Mills, on Tuesday embarked on a campaign of the nation in the Upper East regional capital Bolgatanga, to vigorously fight maternal mortality across all corners of the country. The campaign dubbed 'Campaign for ... Breastfeeding education urged for entire family Focus Taiwan – 8 November 2011 Families along with mothers need to be educated on breastfeeding for the practice to gain greater acceptance in Taiwan, the director-general of the Bureau of Health Promotion said Tuesday at an international conference held to promote breastfeeding. 80 Kalinga midwives conduct basic malaria management training Philippine Information Agency – 8 November 2011 Malaria Control Program Coordinator Mae Langbayan said prevention efforts have penetrated various barangays in the province and have put-up strong barangay level control teams headed by 80 trained midwives. According to Langbayan, the fight against ... Africa's birth rate: 'Why women must be free to choose' CNN International – 7 November 2011 Africa's rapid population growth -- 2.3 per cent a year, double the rate of Asia's -- puts pressure on its economies as governments struggle to provide education and health services. The issue of women and children's health is one of the most pressing. Births that are too early, late or …

The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health, Secretariat hosted by the World Health Organization Room V103, 20 avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland, tel: +41 22 791 2595 fax: +41 22 791 5854 www.pmnch.org

Ugandan midwife speaks to current health needs in Sub-Saharan Africa Women News Network – 7 November 2011 Esther works as one of two midwives that attend to pregnant women throughout the region. Getting up every morning at 5:30 Esther prepares breakfast for herself and her two young children. She then also prepares their lunch and dinner. .. $73K grant for maternal & kids ... KUAM.com – 7 November 2011 According to Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo, the federal grant will help the Maternal and Child Health Division carry out its mission and improve healthcare services provided to women and children on the island by coordinating local programs ... India may be polio-free by ’14 Deccan Chronicle (IND) – 7 November 2011 The polio eradication programme in India may have been well on track with India reporting only one case so far. But next year is crucial. According to an article in the recent issue of the journal by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “If no wild polio virus is identified throughout the high-transmission season in 2012, India will be regarded as polio-free.” Why polio persists The Star (CAN) – 7 November 2011 Polio, once a worldwide scourge, has been all but wiped out on 99 per cent of the planet. But the paralytic nervous disease still plagues citizens — mostly children — in war-torn, unstable countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan. Since 1985, about $9 billion has been spent on eradication efforts … From cradle to grave Hindustan Times – 7 November 2011 There have been some gains, though, in health parameters with relatively easy hurdles to cross, such as the maternal mortality rate and the infant mortality rate. But the slopes on even these curves are irritatingly gentle, and they are still one or ... FG plans boat ambulances for riverine areas Vanguard – 7 November 2011 BY VICTORIA OJEME ABUJA-Worried by the high incidences of maternal mortality deaths in the country, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina, has spoken of Federal Government's plans to introduce boat ambulances to ... Study: Nine of 10 Filipino infants breastfed Manila Standard Today – 7 November 2011 The Infant and Pediatric Nutrition Association of the Philippines belied a drop in breastfeeding, citing the Food and Nutrition Research Institute survey which showed that nine out of 10 Filipino infants are breastfed by their mothers. Pres. Museveni Commissions Sh2.5 Billion Health Facility in Buhweju Middle East North Africa Financial Network – 7 November 2011 Tumusiime affirmed that they are putting more emphasis on maternal and child health care, HIV/AIDS, counseling and testing. The hospital, valued at Sh 2.5 billion, is owned by Tumu Group and has a permanent resident doctor. The Bishop of West Ankole ...

The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health, Secretariat hosted by the World Health Organization Room V103, 20 avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland, tel: +41 22 791 2595 fax: +41 22 791 5854 www.pmnch.org

Neonatal mortality still a challenge Republica (NEPAL) – 7 November 2011 In a bid to bring down existing neonatal mortality rate, the government has decided to extend Community Based Newborn Care Program in six more districts across the country. Currently, the program is running in 25 districts. ... Research NGO calls for stronger link between volunteers and health Radio New Zealand International – 7 November 2011 An Australian medical research organisation says more investment in community health workers could save the lives of up to 10 newborn Papua New Guinea babies a day. The Burnet Institute's report, Improving Maternal, Newborn and Child Health in Papua ...