NAN-H-42
Foundation
By Stellamaris Ashinze
Lagos, Feb.15, 2017 (NAN) The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation says the world is witnessing the fastest progress ever seen in global health and poverty reduction since 2006.
The foundation made this known in its 2017 “Annual Letter” made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Lagos.
“We are witnessing the fastest progress the world has ever seen in global health and poverty reduction,’’ it said in the letter.
The letter was addressed to Warren Buffet, a renowned investor and philanthropist, to celebrate the incredible progress made since 2006 when he donated 30 billion dollars to the foundation.
It said in the letter that the Buffet’s donation was invested in new technologies, solutions and research that could save lives, help families and reduce extreme poverty levels.
“Lives of 122 million children around the world were saved since 1990, while 86 per cent of children worldwide receive basic vaccines.
“For the first time in history, more than 300 million women are using modern contraceptives,’’ the foundation said.
It said that across the African continent, there had been improvement in the mortality rate of children under the age of five, usually caused by pneumonia, diarrhoea and malaria.
According to the foundation, mortality rate has reduced by 54 per cent across sub-Saharan Africa.
“In West African sub-region, the foundation co-chair had partnered with donors, governments, private sector and civil societies to help Nigerians live healthy and productive lives,’’ it said.
Making reference to UNICEF data, the foundation said that since 2006, it had seen incredible stories of progress and hope in the country, saying, “there is still room for improvement.
“Nigeria’s prevalence rate of women using contraceptives is below average for sub-Saharan Africa.
“Nigeria has a higher-than-average neonatal mortality rate compared to sub-Saharan Africa as a whole’’.
It said that increased access to information about reproductive health and innovative contraceptive methods mean more women have had the power to make their own family planning decisions.
The foundation said that 27 per cent of women now use contraception in sub-Saharan Africa.
“Extreme poverty in sub-Saharan Africa has decreased by 28 per cent since 1990,’’ it said. (NAN)
SKA/AIB/GOK
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Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/Olagoke Olatoye