After fleeing her home in Mali, Dizawahet, 23, is about to give birth to her third child at a refugee camp in Burkina Faso. That's where she was born as well during another conflict in Mali that drove her parents across the same border. Dizawahet says she's grateful for the help families like hers receive at the camp, but that what she really wants is to go home. MENTAO (BURKINA FASO) -- Dizawahet Mohamed’s life has come full circle. She was born 23 years ago in a refugee camp in Burkina … [Read more...]
CSW57, Takes Action, on shocking results on sexual violence!
Study reveals shocking new evidence of men’s use of violence against women and girls in Asia Pacific One in two men said they had used physical or sexual violence against an intimate partner, one in four reported having raped a woman and one in 25 admitted to having participated in gang rape. These are among the shocking preliminary results of a study by a joint UN programme that surveyed more than 10,000 men on their use and experiences of violence against women and girls in nine selected … [Read more...]
Maternal Health, Dr. Temmerman talks to Beng Poblete-Enriquez about her priorities
Dr. Marleen Temmerman, head of the Department of Reproductive Health and Research at the World Health Organization in Geneva, joined the agency late last year because she believes it can play a very prominent role in meeting the unmet needs of so many women in the area of reproductive health and services. Dr. Temmerman talks to Beng Poblete-Enriquez about her priorities and recalls an early experience in Kenya where a 15 year-old pregnant girl died in her arms from a ruptured … [Read more...]
Future of Healthcare in Africa
Improving health outcomes in Africa will require a shift to preventive care and less reliance on international aid, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit A wholesale restructuring of Africa’s healthcare systems will be necessary over the next ten years, including measures to expand access to healthcare, to focus on primary care and prevention, and to manage chronic conditions. These reforms can be achieved by giving local communities more control over their healthcare, by using mobile … [Read more...]
Ethiopia, HIV-positive mothers deliver babies free of the virus
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, August 2012 – Adanech* rushed to the Saris Health Centre in Addis Ababa when her labour pains started. Because of an effective mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programme at the health centre, supported by UNICEF and its partners, Adanech has an excellent chance of having her wish come true. Like every mother in the world, she hoped to deliver a healthy baby. But Adanech is HIV positive, and without appropriate care, she could pass on the virus to her … [Read more...]
JAKARTA, ‘highest number of pre-term births’
JAKARTA, July 2012 (IRIN) - Linda Rullis sold her motorcycle and borrowed money from relatives to cover neo-natal treatment for her daughter, who was born after only 24 weeks of pregnancy, barely weeks within the threshold of survival. The baby girl is now one year old and weighs 5.1kg. “I insisted on taking her home after she had been treated for four months because I couldn’t afford the treatment anymore,” Rullis, 30, told IRIN. “When she was born she weighed only 690g, but luckily she … [Read more...]
WHO has just released the second edition of ‘Safe Abortion’
Second edition of 'Safe Abortion' Since first publication of this guidance in 2003, a considerable amount of new data have been produced and published, relating to epidemiological, clinical, service delivery, legal and human rights aspects of providing safe abortion care. Therefore, preparation for this revision of the guidance included extensive literature review and updating of recommendations related to service delivery, legal and policy issues, and the conduct of new systematic reviews … [Read more...]
Born Too Soon: The Global Action Report on Preterm Birth
Born Too Soon: The Global Action Report on Preterm Birth Malian infants have low birth weights, linked to inadequate maternal care, malnutrition and endemic poverty. Photo: UNICEF Some 15 million babies worldwide – more than one in ten births – are born too early, according to a new United Nations-backed report, released today, which calls for steps such as ensuring the requisite medicines and equipment and training health staff to promote child survival.“All newborns are … [Read more...]
Essential Package of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services
Planning and Implementing an Essential Package of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services Guidance for Integrating Family Planning and STI/RTI with other Reproductive Health and Primary Health Services Author: Population Council, UNFPA No. of pages: 56 Publication date: 2011 Publisher: Population Council, UNFPA Download PDF English The goal of this guidance document is to provide a framework for developing an essential sexual and reproductive health (SRH) package. It … [Read more...]
GAZA: WHO/WHAT is the Real Force behind the HATRED?
QUESTION: " WHO/WHAT is the Real Force Behind the Scenes in the Strip?" WHEN will there be the One to achieve a Solution? Is this Biblical perpetuation and/or is there ever meant to BE a Solution? Palestinians say Gaza under major assault Air Force strikes numerous sites in Strip overnight, Palestinian sources say; Hamas targets hit, casualties reported.Meanwhile, Palestinian Authority warns Israel to act ‘responsibly’ in wake of terror offensive that … [Read more...]
Kurdistan BANS Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) * Graphic Video
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Kurdistan today (22 June) banned the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), a procedure that has no health benefits harms girls and women in many ways. By a large margin, the parliament of Iraqi Kurdistan passed a law criminalizing the practice in the region. FGM involves removing and damaging healthy and normal female genital tissue, and interferes with the natural functions of girls' and women's bodies. It is recognized internationally as a … [Read more...]