Monday, March 29, 2010

Indian Successes to be Duplicated in Africa


A success story that reduced neonatal mortality in the heart of Uttar Pradesh province of India by 54% will be duplicated throughout Africa according to Melinda Gates of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation had committed $9.9 million to the project in India and found that simple efforts of educating mothers and their in-laws reduced infant mortality by 54% in just 18 months within the UP province.

Asserting that India's success in reducing maternal and child mortality was absolutely crucial for the world's chances of reaching the Millennium Development Goals by 2015, Gates urged India to increase its health budget from 1% of its GDP at present to 3% as promised.

According to Melinda, all lives have equal value.

- Tiffanie Depew

SOURCE: Times of India