The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

The UK Secretary of State for International Development, Douglas Alexander, has called upon the leaders of the world's poorest countries, particularly those in Africa, to give more importance to women's health in their decision-making.

He made the call on Thursday while addressing the inaugural session of a three-day event in London, billed as the biggest conference on women's health in 20 years, said a DFID press release here on Friday.

Announcing an additional 100 million pounds over five years to help prevent unwanted pregnancy and make childbirth safer, the British secretary of state said more than 500,000 women die every year from complications during pregnancy and childbirth.

"The death of a mother deprives a child, a family, a company and ultimately a country of its most valuable sources of health, happiness and prosperity," Alexander said.

According to the DFID release, in Bangladesh, 12,000 women die every year as a result of the complications of pregnancy and childbirth. Only 13 percent of the births is assisted by medically trained people in Bangladesh.

The release says Bangladesh government invests around three billion US dollars over seven years in the Health, Nutrition and Population Sector Programme to make safe motherhood a 'fact of life.'

The Department for International Development (DFID), UK, will provide Bangladesh with 100 million pounds through a World Bank-managed partnership programme, the press release said.