Global maternal and newborn health is still lacking, according to the latest report on the United Nations' (UN) Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Speaking to political officials in Asia and the Pacific last week, Sha Zukang, UN under secretary for Economic and Social Affairs, said "much remained to be done" concerning the MDGs, reported Xinhaunet.com.
Mr Zukang spoke on behalf of UN secretary-general Ban Ki-Moon.
Of the eight MDG targets to be attained by 2015, Mr Ban said several countries had recorded success in areas concerning hunger, education, sanitation and the control of disease, including HIV.
However, he warned that, despite the successes, progress in improving maternal health and reducing maternal mortality rates "had been slow".
The 2010 MDG report issued in June highlighted that child deaths are not falling at a sufficient rate to meet the 2015 target. Similarly maternal mortality rates are not seeing a large enough reduction despite many maternal deaths in developing countries being avoidable.
Last month MedicalNewsToday.com reported that officials at the Summit of African Union believe preventing the transmission of HIV between mother and infant is key in enabling African nations to cut their high maternal and infant mortality rates.
Posted by David Smith
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