In a message celebrating Mothers’ Day, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon highlighted the “silent scandal” of mothers dying in childbirth, and vowed to do everything in his power to improve maternal health around the world.
Data compiled by the United Nations’ Population Fund shows a “chasm that exists between rich and poor countries where motherhood is concerned,” Ban said, noting that the U.N. was “determined to bridge” that divide.
“We know how to save mothers’ lives,” he noted. “Simple blood tests, a doctor’s consultation and someone qualified to help with the birth can make a huge difference. Add some basic antibiotics, blood transfusions and a safe operating room, and the risk of death can almost be eliminated.”
Ban has repeatedly spoken about women’s health during his tenure as U.N. chief.
