§ 23. Jean CorstonTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department is taking to help reduce levels of maternal mortality in developing countries. [157666]
§ Clare ShortThe International Development goal of a three quarters reduction in maternal mortality by 2015 is a key priority within DFID's health strategy.
Functioning health systems are needed to achieve sustained progress in lowering maternal mortality. We have committed £1 billion since 1997 to help developing countries put in place effective health care systems, vital if maternity services are to be improved. We are also spending around £85 million on bilateral reproductive and sexual health, including projects specifically focusing on maternal health in Malawi, Nepal, Kenya and Ghana.
We are making significant contributions to the maternal health programmes of the European Community, the World Bank and international and national civil society groups, and collaborating with the health and development agencies of the United Nations system, particularly the World Health Organisation, the UN Children's Fund and the UN Population Fund to intensify efforts to make pregnancy safer.