Following up: G8 and maternal health

Some of you may have seen an earlier request to support ONE's G8 campaign. On the 26th of June, the G8 announced they would be contributing $5 billion towards maternal and child health through the 'Muskoka Initiative'. Donations from other nations such as the Republic of Korea, Spain and New Zealand, and organisations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation takes the ground total to $7.3 billion. Although it is definitely a step in the right direction, it comes as somewhat of a disappointment to groups like ONE who would have liked to see provision for 3.5 million healthcare workers to be trained by 2015.

The Muskoka Initiative will work with several global partners to achieve the targets for Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5. These are to reduce child mortality by two thirds, maternal mortality by three quarters, and to achieve universal access to reproductive health by 2015. The Muskoka Initiative has a strong focus on outcomes, and has set various targets to be reached between 2010 and 2015.

Addressing recent concerns about the accountability and trustworthiness of the G8 on coming through with promises, the Canadian prime minister has announced that the Muskoka Initiative includes an accountability mechanism to ensure the G8 follows through on its commitments.

You can read more about the Muskoka Initiative here, in an official statement from the G8 (also available in pdf).

Go Black Stars!!