May 27, 2014 HAMILTON, ONT.–(CANADIAN CHRISTIAN NEWS SERVICE)—Dr. Jean Chamberlain Froese, founder of Save the Mothers (STM) and co-director of the International Women’s Health Program at McMaster University will be speaking at the Saving Every Woman Every Child: Within Arm’s Reach Summit in Toronto this week.
In recognition of her leadership in the field of international maternal health, Dr. Chamberlain has been invited to participate in the “Maternal Health: The Need to Accelerate Progress” session. This session will take place at the Fairmont Royal York hotel, Thursday May 29, from 14:00 – 15:30.
“It’s a privilege to participate in this global Summit on improving maternal and child health amongst the world’s most vulnerable people: moms and their babies,” said Dr. Chamberlain.
A major goal of the Summit is to decrease the number of young babies that die—there are 5.5 million each year, including those stillborn and under four weeks of age. “The missing link in the chain to saving these babies is in the care of their mothers,” added Dr. Chamberlain. “These little ones are dying—or being disabled—because their mothers were not properly cared for in pregnancy and labour. It’s as if these babies are floating down the river needing to be rescued. Instead of just scooping them out of the water, we need to go upstream to prevent them from being there in the first place. They’re dying because of lack of appropriate care for their mothers.”
“Save the mothers, care for the mothers, and the outcome for babies will be very different.”
Dr. Dorothy Shaw, Chair of the Canadian Network for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health and VP Medical Affairs, BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre will moderate the session. In addition to Dr. Chamberlain, the panel will include Her Royal Highness Princess Sarah Zeid of Jordan (a maternal health advocate for the UN Commission on Life-Saving Commodities for Women and Children) and Jill Sheffield, President, Women Deliver.
“I see the tremendous effort we put into caring for mothers and their babies here in North America,” said Dr. Chamberlain. “It’s fantastic and it’s effective. Every child deserves a mother, regardless of geography. Every baby deserves the opportunity to survive and live to its fullest potential. The tools are in our hands—we’ve got them: let’s use them.”
Click Here for link to information about Dr. Jean Chamberlain Froese, founder of Save the Mothers (STM)
For more information or interviews,
Contact: Patricia Paddey, Communications Director
Website: www.savethemothers.org
Email: ppaddey@savethemothers.org
Phone: (905) 616-1326