UK commits over 200 million to cut deaths in India

(23 Aug. 2006): - The UK has committed 252 million pounds to a scheme designed to save the lives of a million Indian children and mothers each year. The funds, to be spent over five years, will help the Indian government boost reproductive health care for the poor and disadvantaged. The aim of the project is to reduce India's maternal mortality rate from 407 per 100,000 live births in 1998 to 100 per 100,000 in 2015. It is also hoped to cut deaths among the under-fives by more than half. At present more than 2 million Indian children die each year before they reach their fifth birthday. The new funds were announced by Hilary Benn, International Development Secretary. He said "The tragedy is - that these deaths could so easily be prevented, if mothers going into labour had the support of a skilled midwife, and children were properly immunised against killers such as measles and tetanus. "The UK is keen to support the government of India's single biggest response to prevent needless deaths that destroy families across the country." Work will be focused in some of India's poorest states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh. The UK money will be used to upgrade maternity facilities, increase the number of skilled midwives at births, and purchase essential drugs. It will also aid the development of strategies to improve adolescent health.