Action to improve global maternal and newborn health

A report by a partnership of charities has suggested ways to improve maternal and newborn health across the globe.

Eliminating health inequities: every woman and every child counts was authored by The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

The report calls for political and social action to combat the problems being faced by females and young people.

Director of the PMNCH Dr Carole Presern said: "Political commitment is essential in overcoming the fundamental economic and social barriers that prevent so many women and children from accessing the care to which they are entitled."

The recommendations the charities make link other problems like poverty, the abuse of human rights and gender bias to poor health outcomes as well as difficulties in many other areas of life.

Dr Presern noted the message promoted through the UN secretary-general's Global Strategy for Women's and Children's Health is "clearly resonating", as countries have invested in measures to improve equality.

Indeed, the PMNCH recently revealed more than 100 nations and organisations had donated $41.4 billion (£26.6 billion) to such efforts, including 44 developing countries.