Canada to Host Summit on Saving the Lives of Vulnerable Women and Children

The Canadian Network for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (CAN-MNCH) welcomes the Government’s announcement of a global event, hosted by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, focused on achieving results in maternal, newborn and child health.  The event, scheduled for May 28-30, 2014, promises to bring experts, policy makers and leaders together in Canada to accelerate efforts to reduce preventable maternal, newborn and child deaths.

The Network supports this most recent commitment by the Canadian government to improve the lives of the world’s most vulnerable women, newborns and children. We welcome the opportunity to partner with the Canadian government to make the event a success. Investing in the health of women, newborns and children is not only critical to enable every woman and child to realize their right to essential health services, but also instrumental in building healthy and productive families, communities and countries. For the full announcement released by Prime Minister Harper, visit this link.  

In 2010, Canada launched the Muskoka Initiative, which leveraged over $7 billion to improve the health of mothers, newborns and children in the world’s poorest countries. Through this initiative and others, including the WHO Commission on Information and Accountability for Women and Children’s Health, the Canadian government has shown landmark leadership on the world stage in maternal, newborn and child health. This reflects not only a wise investment, but also the values of millions of Canadians who support this important effort. Globally, we are seeing tremendous tangible improvements in maternal and child mortality. To maintain momentum and ensure universal access to life-saving maternal, newborn and child health care, it is crucial that we stay the course. The Network recognizes this international event in May as an important step in accelerating global progress, and making a strong final push to save the lives of the most vulnerable women and children.