India to host global forum on women’s, child’s health

NEW DELHI - Health experts and political leaders from across the world will meet in the capital mid-November to discuss the state of women’s and child’s health across the globe.

The Partners Forum on Women’s and Children’s Health to be held Nov 12-14 is expected to be inaugurated by President Pratibha Patil at Vigyan Bhawan.

The forum, co-hosted by the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH), is significant as it is a follow-up of the UN secretary general launching the Global Strategy for Women’s and Children’s Health at the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Summit in New York Sep 20-22.

“This year, the issue of maternal, newborn and children’s health has reached the top of the political agenda. From the G8 countries and the African Union to the UN secretary general’s Global Strategy, the world has agreed that it is time to join forces and act together in moving pledges to action,” Julio Frenk, the PMNCH chair, said.

About 700 participants from around the world, including health and development ministers, senior government and UN officials, donors, healthcare professionals and civil society representatives will review the commitments made to the Global Strategy and will identify action to be taken by the partners.

“Over the past decade, many countries have taken significant steps towards achieving the UN MDGs, but there is need for renewed energy and commitment in this last mile, particularly in reducing child mortality and improving maternal health,” he said.

PMNCH joins together the maternal, newborn and child health communities into an alliance of more than 300 members representing partner countries, the UN and multilateral agencies to ensure that all women, infants and children not only remain healthy, but thrive.

The partnership is hosted by the World Health Organisation (WHO).