Meg's update: UN H+4 Global Strategy Women's Health

UN Agencies, with their partners, spoke of the achievements and challenges to be met toward women's and children's health related to MDG 4&5. Dr. Sata, from Zambia,told of Maternal mortality having decreased from an estimaed 543,000 deaths in 1990 to 287,000 in 2010. Canadian partners continue to focus on three paths: a. support national plans and priorities regarding maternal and child health. b. training of health workers. c. expanding access to services. Michelle Bachelet said although successes have been achieved, yet mortality in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia,with root causes in poverty and gender inequality, low access to education, early marriage, adolescent pregnancy, and low access to health services must be addressed.The meeting concluded with renewed efforts to improve women & children's health issues.