§ Ms Christine RussellTo ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what efforts his Department is making towards increasing the number of births attended by skilled attendants in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, excluding India and China. [123552]
§ Hilary BennDFID's public service agreement includes specific targets to increase the proportion ofbirths attended by skilled attendants in Africa and Asia. We have provided 1.5 billion to strengthen health systems in developing countries since 1997 and have invested in large safe motherhood projects in a number of countries including Nepal and Malawi. We are currently finalising an action plan to increase DFID engagement in international efforts to reach the Millennium Development Goal to improve maternal health. Such work is complemented by broader efforts to strengthen public service management and to improve the training and retention of key public sector staff including midwives and doctors.