UN chief calls for renewed commitment to improving health of women, children

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon here on Thursday called for renewed commitment and action to sustain the unprecedented progress made in improving the health of women and children worldwide.

"For the first time ever, we have the opportunity to end all preventable deaths of women and children within a generation," Ban said at the Every Woman Every Child event held on the margins of the UN General Assembly's annual debate.

"Let us seize this historic opportunity as a moral imperative. It is also one of the smartest investments we can make," he said.

Launched by the UN chief in September 2010, Every Woman Every Child aims to save the lives of 16 million women and children by 2015.

The initiative has catalyzed unprecedented progress in reducing maternal and child mortality, doing so through a pioneering model of multi-stakeholder partnership involving governments, civil society, the private sector, philanthropists and international organizations, according to the UN. To date, over 400 partners have made commitments under Every Woman Every Child.

Ban noted that efforts have led to the reduction in deaths of children under the age of five faster than at any time in the past two decades. Each day some 17,000 more children survive, he said, adding that deaths of mothers have been cut by almost half since 1990.

"These are impressive numbers in conference rooms in New York. They are even more meaningful in hospitals, health posts and homes, " he noted.

"In today's troubled world, our progress in this area shines brightly. It demonstrates what can be achieved when we come together as a community in partnership," said the secretary- general.

Ban added that the international community will have to protect these fragile gains -- and cope with emerging challenges, including climate change, water, education, sanitation, nutrition and human rights that affect women and children's health.

"I call on all of you to renew your commitments, boost financing, keep insisting on accountability for resources and results, and reach every woman and every child," said Ban. " Together, we can make history."