India, the United States and Ethiopia have joined hands to address the global challenge of child and maternal deaths in particular in the third world countries. Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan would be among a host of global leaders including World Bank President Dr Jim Young Kim and USAID Administrator Raj Shah to attend the important international meeting in Washington tomorrow. Co-hosted by India, US and Ethiopia in collaboration with UNICEF and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the ‘Acting on the Call: Ending Preventable Child and Maternal Deaths’ will unveil new efforts to save an unprecedented number of women and children by 2020 in 24 priority countries. It will also announce adoption of bold reforms to improve effectiveness and efficiency at the Agency, a media release said. An important touchstone since the first Call to Action in 2012, this forum will gather global health leaders from governments, faith-based organizations, civil societies and the private sector to review recent and significant accomplishments aimed at significantly reducing child and maternal deaths, and to plot a new course that will ensure progress continues, the USIAD said. Shah and partners will also award major public and private sector partnerships and announce a new USD 500 million award focused on child survival and maternal health, the media release said.

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