UN calls for efforts to improve women, child health

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for renewed efforts to sustain the unprecedented progress made in improving the health of women and children worldwide.

"For the first time ever, we have the opportunity to end all preventable deaths of women and children within a generation," Ban said at the 'Every Woman Every Child' event held on the margins of the 69th UN General Assembly's annual debate Thursday.

"Let us seize this historic opportunity as a moral imperative. It is also one of the smartest investments we can make," Xinhua quoted Ban as saying.

Launched by the UN chief in September 2010, 'Every Woman Every Child', aims to save the lives of 16 million women and children by 2015.

Till date, over 400 partners have made commitments under 'Every Woman Every Child'.

Ban noted that efforts have led to the reduction in deaths of children under the age of five faster than at any time in the past two decades.

Each day some 17,000 more children survive, he said, adding that deaths of mothers have been cut by almost half since 1990.

Ban added that the international community will have to protect these fragile gains -- and cope with emerging challenges, including climate change, water, education, sanitation, nutrition and human rights that affect women and children's health.

"I call on all of you to renew your commitments, boost financing, keep insisting on accountability for resources and results, and reach every woman and every child," Ban added.