Joy after a frightening preterm delivery in Liberia

UNFPA Liberia HNN Team

This article was originally published by UNFPA here. Out of nine pregnancies, Anna Bondo had suffered seven stillbirths, each one a crushing heartbreak. Every loss came as a result of premature labour, the 43-year-old told UNFPA. Last month, pregnant for the tenth time, Ms. Bondo once again went into an early labour. She immediately feared … Continued

Liberia: Newborn Mortality Rate Up At 1,072 per 100K Lives

Daily Observer (Liberia) Liberia HNN Team

This news article was originally published in Daily Observer (Liberia) here. Liberia ranks the 7th globally, 3rd in Africa for maternal and newborn mortality Liberia’s newborn babies death rate is among the highest in the world, increased from 997/100,000 (997 deaths per 100,000 live births) to 1,072/100,000 (1,072 deaths per 100,000 live births). In order … Continued

Most Pregnancies Last 9 Months. Why Is the Deadliness of Childbirth Still Taking Us by Surprise?

Global Citizen Ethiopia, Haiti, Philippines, Liberia HNN Team

Vaccines help to dramatically reduce maternal and neonatal deaths. Article by Anuradha Gupta, Deputy CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance Measles, cholera, and diphtheria can kill quickly and without any warning. Yet with childbirth we get nine months’ notice, and it still kills more people every year than these three diseases combined. It’s not just … Continued

Map: The best (and worst) countries to be a mother

Ethiopia, Bolivia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Liberia, Rwanda, Somalia, Central African Republic, United States of America HNN Team

On average, one woman in 30 is likely to die from pregnancy-related causes, and seven out of 10 women will lose a child in their lifetime. Despite global improvements in children’s and maternal health, inequality between the world’s richest and poorest mothers and children is widening.

UNFPA: In disasters, women are the backbone of resilience – Opinion

Guinea, Liberia, Pakistan, Philippines, Sierra Leone, United States of America HNN Team

For women in particular, part of being safe during disasters — natural or otherwise — means ensuring safe birth, safety from unintended pregnancy, and safety from violence.

U.N. seeking $3.1 billion to help children at risk

Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone HNN Team

The largest portion, $903 million, would be targeted to help children with immunizations, safe water, sanitation and education in and around Syria.

UN Ebola chief calls for final funding push to defeat virus in west Africa

Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone HNN Team

UN’s lead Ebola co-ordinator en route to Davos says last third of the $1.5bn pledged to tackle disease needs to be paid in order to end the outbreak.

Medical charity MSF opens Ebola clinic for pregnant women

Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone HNN Team

Women are particularly vulnerable to a disease spread through direct contact with infected people and with the corpses of victims, because women often care for sick family members, said MSF Field Coordinator, Esperanza Santos.

To boost fight against Ebola and strengthen community-based services for the future, UNICEF raises appeal to US$500 million

Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone HNN Team

UNICEF is accelerating its work in the heart of communities to stop the outbreak, support early isolation of cases, promote more safe burials and raise continued awareness and understanding of the virus and its risks.

India leads in preterm birth complication deaths: Study

Ethiopia, Nigeria, Angola, Bangladesh, China, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Indonesia, Liberia, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Kenya HNN Team

“We have an epidemic of preterm and newborn deaths that represents one of the greatest health challenges of the 21st century. Two-thirds of these deaths could be prevented without intensive care,” said Francisco.