About the Program

The Maternal and Child Health Program supports parents of infants and young children and their families in assisting children to develop optimally into adulthood. It also supports pregnant First Nations women in having healthy pregnancies.

Each year, around 10 million newborns and children pass away, the majority as a result of malnutrition and infectious diseases working together. Half of all fatalities are caused by pneumonia and diarrhoea. Neonatal tetanus, measles, pertussis, poliomyelitis, and diphtheria are additional reasons. Many children who survive these disorders experience blindness, paralysis, or mental disability. Each year, problems related to pregnancy and childbirth kill more than 500,000 women.

Women are more vulnerable to haemorrhaging and infections due to malnutrition, particularly anaemia. One-third of the births are unintended. Lack of access to high-quality healthcare, mothers’ lack of education, and hazardous living conditions all contribute to an increased risk of maternal and child mortality, in addition to low nutritional status. If a woman survives the difficulties of pregnancy and childbirth, she may develop severe or humiliating disabilities.

The programme for maternal and child health: While it is true that all people should have access to health care, there is a clear benefit to giving mothers and children extra care or making them the centre of attention when there are few available resources for healthcare.

Health for mothers and children is attainable. The majority of diseases in children and pregnancy difficulties share the same origins and can both be effectively treated and prevented with low-cost measures. The number of medical consultations and hospital admissions caused by diseases in children and problems during pregnancy and childbirth will decrease when maternal and child health is improved. As a result, there will be a decrease in the price of medical care, the cost of disability and mortality, and the productivity loss experienced by women and children who have disabilities or pass away.

The greatest gain from improving mother and child health would be to relieve the agony and anguish of countless families. If this is accomplished, it will be possible to say that people’s quality of life has increased.

The risk of maternal and infant mortality and pregnancy-related complications can be reduced by increasing access to quality preconception (before pregnancy), prenatal (during pregnancy), and interconception (between pregnancies) care.1 Moreover, healthy birth outcomes and early identification and treatment of developmental delays and disabilities and other health conditions among infants can prevent death or disability and enable children to reach their full potential

The Maternal, Newborn & Child Health programme of the foundation envisions a future where pregnant women are in good health, have healthy babies, and get top-notch care from experienced and well-equipped medical professionals, including midwives. For the purpose of informing the creation of cutting-edge tools and practises that help bolsters healthcare systems, lessen disparities, and enhance health outcomes for women, new mothers, and kids, we invest in studying the biological and social vulnerabilities of women and babies.

The Maternal, Newborn & Child Health team organises national, regional, and international financial and policy solutions that can increase the use of tried-and-true innovations. It also supports efforts at the national level. We collaborate with various programmes and teams across the foundation as well as with governments, professional associations, international organisations, civil society organisations, and the commercial sector (including those focusing on research and development, nutrition, family planning, delivery of health products and services, and gender equality).