Every day, over 800 women die from pregnancy or childbirth-related causes. An additional 6,500 newborn babies die daily – most from causes that are preventable or treatable.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused major disruptions to health services that are exacerbating these risks. Lifesaving vaccination campaigns have been put on hold, health workers have been redeployed, and in some places, health centres and services have shuttered their doors. Financial impacts are also making it harder for countries to sustain quality health care.
An urgent response is needed. Partnerships and solidarity will be crucial.
Around the world, efforts are underway to improve the health of women and children, through immunizations and lifesaving medicines, strengthened access to medical services, and training of key health workers. Groundbreaking work towards polio eradication has seen the number of polio cases drop by 99.9 percent since 1988, saving more than 1.5 million lives and 16 million children from devastating paralysis.
Featuring speakers from Rotary International, the World Health Organization (WHO) and more, this virtual event will explore initiatives and actions needed to help improve the health of women and children during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
Please join us on Thursday, 25 February 2021 from 16:00 to 17:30 CET (UTC+1).
The virtual event will be in English.