Rachel Maranto of Save the Children shares some good news for maternal health from an unlikely place: Afghanistan.   Sakila. Photo credit: Rachel Maranto/Save the ChildrenThis is Sakila. Fourteen years ago she nearly died giving birth to her son. “I was giving birth at home, there were complications and I fell unconscious. Eventually my family

Initiatives worth $40 billion don’t often go unnoticed, so you may have seen that on Wednesday, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon launched the Global Strategy for Women’s and Children’s Health (PDF), a plan designed to accelerate progress toward Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5 by galvanizing global commitments around a comprehensive plan. The Secretary-General’s office

From online petitions to angry baby protests, it’s hard to miss ONE’s focus on the Global Fund and our goal to ensure that virtually no child is born with HIV by 2015. But throughout this campaign, many of you have rightfully asked, “How does this exactly work?” It’s a miracle of modern medical technology that

Famine in Niger affects 12 million – Expensive imports and aid remain out of reach for 12 million people in Niger – 80 percent of the population – which is facing the worst food crisis in years. Aid organizations say that the immediate obstacle preventing them from meeting urgent food needs is a donor shortfall

We must do better against malaria, says President – Following this week’s African Union summit, Tanzanian President, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, asserts that leaders must do more to eliminate all preventable malaria deaths, starting with the goal of reaching universal mosquito-net coverage by the end of this year. (The Guardian) New TB test must reach more

In the wake of the G8 in Canada, during which wealthy nations gathered to discuss and pledge their commitments to maternal, newborn, and child health, African leaders met this week in Uganda for the 15th African Union Summit. Dr. Jotham Musinguzi, Africa regional director of Partners in Population & Development, gives us his take on

Every year, approximately 350,000 mothers die from complications during child birth and 8.8 million children die before their fifth birthday. We are desperately off track to achieving the Millennium Development Goals on child and maternal health and expectations were high for the G8 summit to deliver results. Yesterday, the G8 announced the Muskoka Initiative on

Dr. Agnes Moses, a medical doctor in Malawi, is physician/senior clinical researcher for the AIDS Clinical Trial Network, a University of North Carolina project. She was the recipient of the 2009 Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation’s International Leadership Award. This week she is in Washington meeting policymakers and stakeholders on AIDS issues, on behalf of

Earlier this week, we told you about a woman named Awatif Syalib, a Sudanese midwife who has experienced firsthand the difficulties mothers and children face in developing countries. But her story is just one of millions. Meet Mary Issaka, a woman from Zorko, Ghana who was recently named Midwife of the Year. Through her work

Next week, world leaders will gather in Canada for the G8 Summit. Maternal and child health is expected to be a big priority this year—and we need your help in sending a lifesaving request. Let’s tell the G8 to train and support 3.5 million additional healthcare workers in countries where they’re needed most. It could

The miracle of birth is astonishing, humbling, and wonderful to behold. After witnessing my nephew’s delivery, I thought a maternity ward must be the best place in the world to work. But anyone who works there for long knows that it doesn’t always go well. Modern technology and good obstetric training help many in the