It Is A Tragedy So Many Newborns Die Each Year

According to Save the Children, over two million newborns die within one day of being born worldwide every year - eight million children die each before they reach the age of five. Most of these deaths could be prevented if simple provisions were available, such as trained midwives.


The charity, in a report called The State of the World's Mothers 2006 says more than 500,000 women die annually from either giving birth or complications of pregnancy. Many of them give birth at home, alone.


Save the Children estimates that 70% of these deaths could and should be prevented.


The report describes childbirth as a dance with death for many babies and their mothers in the developing world. When I read it I was reminded of those baby turtles that break out of their eggs and race to the sea, hoping to make it before being picked off by swooping seagulls.


The report paints a bleak picture for many pregnant women and newborns in the developed world. It also reveals a gigantic gap between the rich and poorest nations.


Out of 1000 babies born in Japan, 1.8 die in their first day of life. In parts of sub-Saharan Africa the number stands at 200 out of every 1000.