Canada Making a Real Difference in the Lives of Women and Children in Africa / The Maternity Centres of Excellence project will accelerate progress on maternal, newborn and child health in Mozambique

OTTAWA, Canada, May 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- On behalf of the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development) and Member of Parliament for Portage-Lisgar, announced today $3.3 million over two years toward the Maternity Centres of Excellence project with the Johns Hopkins Program for International Education in Gynaecology and Obstetrics (JHPIEGO).

The goals of this project are to improve the quality and timeliness of maternal and newborn health services, and contribute to the reduction of illness and death for at least 10,000 pregnant women and newborns in Mozambique. The project will see the creation of three Centres of Excellence in Maternal, Newborn and Child Health in Mozambique, which will result in a greater number of trained health workers, and improved access to quality care for mothers and newborns.

“I am pleased to announce that Canada will be supporting the work of the Johns Hopkins Program for International Education in Gynaecology and Obstetrics to turn maternity wards in Mozambique into Centres of Excellence, which will improve the quality of health services and reduce delays that cause maternal deaths,” said Minister Bergen. “Through initiatives like this one, Canada will continue to play a leadership role in saving lives and improving the health of mothers and children in the developing world.”

Canada's top development priority is improving the health of mothers, newborns and children and reducing the number of preventable deaths. In 2010, as part of its G-8 presidency, Canada launched a global effort – the Muskoka Initiative – to mobilize global action to reduce maternal and child mortality and improve the health of mothers and children in the world's poorest countries.

Significant progress has already been made – maternal mortality rates are declining and millions more children are celebrating their fifth birthday – and our common goal is nearer still. That is why the Prime Minister is once again taking action to mobilize the world. From May 28-30, 2014, in Toronto, Canada will host Saving Every Women, Every Child: Within Arm's Reach, an international summit that will build on Canada's leadership and chart the way forward for the next phase of global efforts. The Summit will host a range of prominent speakers, including Minister of State (Social Development), Candice Bergen.

“Canada's focus on maternal, newborn and child health reflects the values of millions of Canadians who believe that we do not stand idle while the poorest and most vulnerable suffer deaths that are easily and inexpensively prevented,” said Minister Paradis. “This project will help improve the quality and timeliness of maternal and newborn health services to ensure that women, newborns and children in Mozambique can live healthy and productive lives.”

Quick Facts

• On April 28, 2014, the Prime Minister announced that Canada will host Saving Every Woman Every Child: Within Arm's Reach, an international Summit on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health issues.

• The Summit, to be held from May 28 to 30, 2014, in Toronto, will build on Canada's leadership and bring together Canadian and international leaders and experts, Canadian charities, businesses, scientists, developed and developing countries, international organizations and global foundations to ensure that maternal, newborn and child health remains a priority of the global development agenda.

• The causes of maternal and under-five child mortality in developing countries are largely preventable with increased access to a list of proven, affordable and cost-effective solutions that most Canadians take for granted.

• Canada is providing $2.85 billion in funding between 2010 and 2015 under the Muskoka Initiative to save the lives of women and children in developing countries.

• Canada is on track to meeting its Muskoka commitment, with 80 percent of the funding already disbursed.