Malaysia to host talks on female health

Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Every year, about 350,000 girls and women die from pregnancy-related causes and almost all of these deaths occur in developing countries.
But there is some good news; the numbers are decreasing across Asia, and Malaysia is helping to lead the way, making huge strides in reducing maternal deaths.
Between 2000 and 2011, Malaysia reduced maternal mortality rates from 63.6 per 100,000 live births to 48.2 per 100,000. That is one of the lowest maternal mortality ratios in Asia.
But that is not saying much, for Asia-Pacific still bears the brunt of birth-related deaths; 44% of maternal deaths and 56% of newborn deaths worldwide occur in the region.
This information was shared by Women Deliver, an international organisation that brings together voices from around the world to call for improved health and well-being for girls and women.
Launched in 2007, it works globally to generate political commitment and financial investment for fulfilling Millennium Development Goal 5 — to reduce maternal mortality and achieve universal access to reproductive health.
The organisation’s founder, Jill Sheffield, said Malaysia managed to reduce maternal deaths through simple interventions, such as improvement in access to maternal health services and investment in obstetric care in district hospitals.
This is one of the reasons that Women Deliver has chosen Malaysia as host for its third conference, scheduled for May 2013. The first conference was held in London in 2007 and the second in Washington (2010).
“This global conference will draw advocates, activists, civil society leaders from around the world to Asia to discuss the most pressing issues facing women and girls,” Sheffield said.
“A joint report will be released by Women Deliver and the World Bank that shows data on why investing in women is a smart thing to do.
“In 2010, more than 3,400 people came together at the Women Deliver conference to stand behind one message: invest in women – it pays.
“Women Deliver 2013 will build on these commitments, and it will launch a new era of engagement among all partners working together to improve maternal health and deliver for girls and women everywhere.”
The 2013 conference will focus on accelerating progress towards Millennium Development Goal 5 (MDG5) so that it can be achieved by 2015.
“Women Deliver 2013 will be an opportunity for the world to reassess our progress on MDG5 and set ambitious but realistic goals for impacting maternal mortality and reproductive health access for 2015 and beyond,” Sheffield said.
Women Deliver 2013 aims to build on the commitments and investments made in 2010, including the Muskoka Initiative launched by the leaders of the G8, the resigning of the Maputo Plan of Action by the African Union, and the United Nations’ Global Strategy for Women’s and Children’s Health.