1 week Ago By Farwa Naqvi
ISLAMABAD - World Health Day was observed on Monday, 7 April, across the globe as a global initiative led by the World Health Organization (WHO), with an emphasis on raising awareness about diseases, mental health challenges, and the importance of preventive care. WHO announced the theme for this year as “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,” spotlighting maternal and newborn health. In its media release, WHO called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, citing the grave risks posed to pregnant women and children due to ongoing violence, displacement, and lack of medical access.
The organisation noted that from 18 March to 4 April 2025, over 500 children and 270 women were reportedly killed. No humanitarian aid has entered Gaza since 2 March, deepening hunger, malnutrition, and the collapse of health services. WHO estimates that around 55,000 women are currently pregnant in Gaza, with a third experiencing high-risk pregnancies.
Approximately 130 babies are born daily, with 27% delivered via caesarean. Nearly 20% of these newborns are premature, underweight, or have complications that require advanced care, which is increasingly unavailable. A report on maternal mortality trends, jointly published by WHO, UNICEF, and UNFPA in observance of World Health Day, ranked Pakistan among four countries—alongside Nigeria, India, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo—accounting for nearly half of the estimated 260,000 maternal deaths globally in 2023.
Maternal deaths include those resulting from complications during pregnancy or childbirth. The report also warned that recent cuts to aid funding by the US and the UK could severely impact infant and maternal health in Pakistan, potentially worsening already high mortality rates. Imran asks court to allow phone calls with children once in a week Tags: maternal infant health focus.
