Top stories from DAWNS Digest
New Research: Saving Babies On Their First Day Of Life
More than a million babies around the world die on the day of their birth yearly and a million more are stillborn. New research from Save the Children. “The new report, ‘Ending Newborn Deaths,’ shows one half of first day deaths around the world could be prevented if the mother and baby had access to free health care and a skilled midwife. The children’s aid agency says the deaths happen because of premature birth and complications during birth, such as prolonged labor, pre-eclampsia and infection, which can be avoided if quality health experts are present. The research also found an additional 1.2 million babies are stillborn each year, their heartbeats stopping during labor because of childbirth complications, maternal infections and hypertension.” (Save the Children http://bit.ly/1egQdOu)
Malawi’s “Cashgate” Heats Up
$30 million = about 1% of Malawi’s GDP. “Malawi President Joyce Banda faced calls to resign Tuesday, after an audit revealed at least $30 million dollars of state funds had been stolen by corrupt officials. Barely three months before she asks voters to elect her for a second term, Banda faced calls from non-governmental groups to take responsibility for almost industrial-scale corruption on her watch….The scandal implicated senior ministers, resulting in Banda sacking her entire cabinet. Some 68 civil servants — including many in Banda’s People’s Party — and businesspeople are already on trial charged with graft.” (AFP http://yhoo.it/1egSRDM)