Demographic crises causing devastating effects, says Holy See’s Permanent Observer to UN

(April 13, 2010) The demographic crises that in the few decades has brought down annual population rates from 7% to below 1% in many parts of the world, combined with the aging of the population, has resulted in devastating effects for the economy and governance, said Holy See’s Permanent Observer to the United Nations in New York. Archbishop Celestino Migliore made the statements in his address on Monday to the 43^rd session of the Commission on Population and Development, CPD. Among the topics assigned to this year’s CPD session are global health, morbidity, mortality and development, with priority being given mainly to maternal deaths.
According to UN statistics, some half a million maternal deaths occur annually, majority of them in developing countries. What’s worse is that for every death, thirty more women suffer long-term damage to their health, such as from obstetric fistulae. The physical devastation caused by it, makes them total outcasts and they suffer pain, humility and lifelong disability if not treated. Pointing out that two million of these poor, young mothers are mainly in Africa, Archbishop Migliore called it a great shame, especially as the disease is preventable and treatable. He also noted that programs, providing services that ensure mothers and their babies survive are badly underfunded.
Noting that that Catholic hospitals and clinics continue to be the front line providers for primary health care,Archbishop Migliore urged governments to urgently address the health and adequate nutritional needs of mothers and children all over the world.