He UNICEF report "State of the World's Children 2009" throws chilling data that open our eyes to a reality that we often consider distant, if not nonexistent. This year the Report devotes special attention to maternal and neonatal health, closely related.
Because improving the health and survival of mothers improves the health and survival of newborns, benefiting both from the resources that from the so-called "First World", ours, we can provide.
And while some data in the Report point to improvements in the situation of many poor countries, the economic and social challenges that need to be addressed are still there.
And is that research shows that about 80% of maternal deaths could have been avoided if women had had access to maternity services and basic health care.
A total of 57 countries worldwide have less than 2 health professionals per thousand people, an average that is considered minimum for childbirth assistance coverage. 36 of those countries are in sub-Saharan Africa. South Asia or some places in Latin America are also in this painful situation.
Every year 500,000 women die in the world due to causes related to pregnancy and childbirth, and about 4 million babies die in their first 28 days of life.
Everything reminds us that, unfortunately, pregnancy and the birth of a child is not a source of joy for their parents and for families in many parts of the world. And the solution would not be so complicated. Many people move for this situation to change, but it takes a greater involvement and awareness from the big countries.
