As a result, worldwide mortality rates in 2005 were 400 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births — barely changed since 1990. In Africa, the ratio is 900 per 100,000. The harsh reality behind these figures is this: Mothers, very often young, are dying for lack of what most of us take for granted in the 21st century — access to affordable health care.
Maternal health care is also a barometer of how well a health system functions. If women have access to hospitals and clinics, they are less likely to die in childbirth. These hospitals and clinics in turn reduce the burden of illness and deaths from other causes as well.
Failure to mobilize the resources and muster the political will to put an end to this senseless tragedy would be unforgivable. We have made progress on so many other fronts. We are within a few years of ending deaths from malaria. Mass immunization has largely eliminated polio. Thanks to new programs of oral rehydration and improved water and sanitation, we have seen marked gains in treating dysentery and other parasitic diseases, contributing to a 27 percent decline between 1990 and 2007 in mortality rates for children under five.
Yes, the world faces its first influenza pandemic in more than 40 years. We must remain on guard against changes in the virus. We must also be prepared for potentially different impacts in parts of the world where malnutrition, HIV/AIDS, and other serious health conditions are prevalent. In short, we must remain vigilant and continue actively to manage this pandemic. At the same time, the pandemic reminds us that we need to think and act beyond it. Only by doing so can we truly protect our people, our countries, our economy and our global society.
Ban Ki-moon is the secretary-general of the UN. Margaret Chan is director-general of the WHO.
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