Menu
18/11/2003
Gates donates US$10m to fight 'needless' tetanus deaths
The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has received a US$10 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to fight maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT), which kills an estimated 230,000 mothers and babies annually in the poorest and most remote areas of the world.
UNICEF has said that it can "eliminate these needless deaths" with a safe and effective vaccine that has been available in the developed world for more than 70 years.
In order to achieve elimination of MNT worldwide by 2005, UNICEF needs to raise an additional $147 million. An estimated 207 million women still need to be immunized.
“The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s financial commitment to the elimination of MNT will help save the lives of millions of newborns and their mothers,” Charles Lyons, president of the US Fund for UNICEF, said.
“Because of the campaign to eliminate MNT and the support of the Gates Foundation, as many as 15,000 lives are saved annually.”
MNT strikes when the bacterial tetanus spores, found in soil everywhere, come into contact with open cuts during childbirth in unsanitary conditions. Within days, tetanus spreads throughout the body, causing spasms, paralyzing stiffness and arching of the spine. Four out of five of the newborn infants and mothers who develop the disease die from it.
The vaccine protects mothers for up to 10 years and their newborn babies for the critical first few months of life.
(gmcg)
UNICEF has said that it can "eliminate these needless deaths" with a safe and effective vaccine that has been available in the developed world for more than 70 years.
In order to achieve elimination of MNT worldwide by 2005, UNICEF needs to raise an additional $147 million. An estimated 207 million women still need to be immunized.
“The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s financial commitment to the elimination of MNT will help save the lives of millions of newborns and their mothers,” Charles Lyons, president of the US Fund for UNICEF, said.
“Because of the campaign to eliminate MNT and the support of the Gates Foundation, as many as 15,000 lives are saved annually.”
MNT strikes when the bacterial tetanus spores, found in soil everywhere, come into contact with open cuts during childbirth in unsanitary conditions. Within days, tetanus spreads throughout the body, causing spasms, paralyzing stiffness and arching of the spine. Four out of five of the newborn infants and mothers who develop the disease die from it.
The vaccine protects mothers for up to 10 years and their newborn babies for the critical first few months of life.
(gmcg)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
13 June 2011
World's Poorest Children To Be Immunised By 2015
Major public and private donors achieved a milestone in global health today by committing funding to immunise more than 250 million of the world’s poorest children against life-threatening diseases by 2015 and prevent more than four million premature deaths. At the summit in London, countries are being asked to give an extra £2.3bn ($3.
World's Poorest Children To Be Immunised By 2015
Major public and private donors achieved a milestone in global health today by committing funding to immunise more than 250 million of the world’s poorest children against life-threatening diseases by 2015 and prevent more than four million premature deaths. At the summit in London, countries are being asked to give an extra £2.3bn ($3.
29 September 2006
More parents opting for MMR jabs
The number of children being given the combined mumps, measles and rubella vaccination has increased for the second year running, according to the latest figures. The figures from the government's Information Centre showed that 84% of two-year-olds had the MMR jab in 2005-2006 - an increase from 81% in 2004-2005.
More parents opting for MMR jabs
The number of children being given the combined mumps, measles and rubella vaccination has increased for the second year running, according to the latest figures. The figures from the government's Information Centre showed that 84% of two-year-olds had the MMR jab in 2005-2006 - an increase from 81% in 2004-2005.
24 April 2015
Five People Arrested Over Fraudulent Unicef Fundraising
Five people have been arrested in connection with fraudulent funding raising in Cardiff. Three women and two men have been charged with fraud by false representation. Maria Rodu, 18, Roxanna Ion, 19, both from Grangetown and Elvira Dumitru, 19, from Wandsworth in London will appear before Cardiff Magistrates on Friday 01 May.
Five People Arrested Over Fraudulent Unicef Fundraising
Five people have been arrested in connection with fraudulent funding raising in Cardiff. Three women and two men have been charged with fraud by false representation. Maria Rodu, 18, Roxanna Ion, 19, both from Grangetown and Elvira Dumitru, 19, from Wandsworth in London will appear before Cardiff Magistrates on Friday 01 May.
24 September 2004
Unicef to help rehabilitate Beslan survivors
The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) has announced plans to help the psychological rehabilitation of hundreds of young survivors traumatised by this month's school massacre in southern Russia. Up to 338 people died – including 31 hostage-takers – during the terror attack at the school in Beslan, North Ossetia.
Unicef to help rehabilitate Beslan survivors
The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) has announced plans to help the psychological rehabilitation of hundreds of young survivors traumatised by this month's school massacre in southern Russia. Up to 338 people died – including 31 hostage-takers – during the terror attack at the school in Beslan, North Ossetia.
02 August 2004
Breastfeeding holds key to saving lives of 1.3m babies: Unicef
If more infants worldwide are given only mother’s milk and no food or formula until the age of six months, at least 1.3 million lives could be saved this year, the UN Children’s Fund (Unicef) has said.
Breastfeeding holds key to saving lives of 1.3m babies: Unicef
If more infants worldwide are given only mother’s milk and no food or formula until the age of six months, at least 1.3 million lives could be saved this year, the UN Children’s Fund (Unicef) has said.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
