Release: PMNCH heartened re: RMNCH in Deauville Declaration
G8 Leaders recommit to improve maternal health and reduce child mortality
27 MAY 2011 | GENEVA - G8 Leaders recommitted today to improve maternal health and reduce child mortality, particularly through the Muskoka Initiative for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, which was first launched in June 2010 at the G8 Muskoka Summit.
''Often political agendas come and go, so we are very heartened to see that one year later, the G8 remains focussed on reducing preventable deaths of women and children,'' says Dr. Carole Presern, Director of the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health.
In June 2010, the G8 committed to provide US$ 10 billion for the Muskoka Initiative by 2015, and made an initial commitment of US$ 5 billion.
A report released by the G8 last week gave a first glimpse into these commitments. It appears that collectively the G8 may have already surpassed the initial US$ 5 billion commitment by about US$ 2.656 billion, roughly 53%.
''This is potentially really good news, if the G8 are not only delivering on their initial commitment, but making progress on their overall pledge to get to US$ 10 billion,'' says Dr. Presern.
In the Deauville statement, the G8 also committed to support the recommendations of the Commission on Information and Accountability for Women's and Children's Health.
''The G8 members are playing a key role in seizing the opportunity afforded by the Commission recommendations to ensure that commitments to women and children are honoured, and the resources are used in the most effective ways to prevent deaths and save lives,'' says Dr. Presern.
G8 Muskoka Initiative on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health
The Muskoka Initiative was the G8 contribution to the Global Strategy for Women's and Children's Health launched in September 2010 by the UN Secretary-General and 90+ stakeholders, with US$40 billion in commitments. G8 leaders committed today to implement and monitor their Muskoka commitments in coordination with other stakeholders in the Global Strategy.
''Time will tell whether resources are used in the most effective means to reduce mortality levels. Future reporting to demonstrate delivery and results are key to ensuring confidence in the G8 promises,'' says Dr. Presern.
According to the 2011 G8 Accountability Report, G8 member commitments to Muskoka are as follows: Canada - C$ 1.1 billion; France - € 500 million; Germany - €400 million; Italy - US$ 75 million; Japan - US$500 million; Russia - US$ 75 million; United Kingdom - £ 2.1 billion; US - US$ 1.346 billion; EU - $ 70 million.
While the G8 does not provide a new aggregate figure to update the initial US$ 5 billion commitment, these figures suggest that collectively G8 members have now identified US$ 7.656 billion for the Muskoka Initiative by 2015. *
The Muskoka Initiative is aimed at supporting developing countries in reducing deaths of women in pregnancy and childbirth, reducing deaths of children under five, and at increasing access to family planning.
Dr. Presern also welcomed the G8 call for a successful completion of the GAVI pledging conference in London, on 13 June, noting that G8 members should continue to be foremost among GAVI donors.
Contact: Tracey Fyfe, PMNCH at: fyfet@who.int