AMERICA - Every year more than 11 million babies and 15% of mothers die of complications during pregnancy or childbirth. World Health Day 2005 will focus on health of mother and child

Rome (Fides Service) - World Health Day will be marked on 7 April this year and the World Health Organisation has decided to focus on the health of mother and child and the reduction of the number of deaths of babies and mothers due to complications during pregnancy or at birth..
According to the World Health Organisation WHO about 11 million infants die every year, 30,000 every day, 40% of during the first month of life.
In developing countries complications in pregnancy are among the main causes of death in women aged 15 to 49. Most of these complications are curable and some even preventable. About 15% of pregnant mothers suffer complications due to lack of qualified assistance. A mother in Latin America or the Caribbean in 27 times more likely to die of complications during pregnancy or while giving birth, than a mother in the United States.
The slogan of World Health Day 2005: “Make every mother and child count”, is a call to governments and international organisations to give more attention to the health of mother and child.
On the occasion of the Day, the Pan-American Health Organisation, the Regional Office for the Americas of the WHO, has called on governments, private organisations, NGOs, communities and individuals to consider this date an opportunity to recognise that every mother has the right to pregnancy and childbirth without risks and that every child has the right to good health.
The reduction by two thirds of the infant mortality rate and by three quarters the rate of maternal mortality were two of the Millennium Objectives adopted to guarantee a life of good health to people everywhere. (AP) (28/2/2005 Agenzia Fides; Righe:29; Parole:342)