The World Bank announces $700m for women's and children's health

The World Bank has announced it will invest $700 million through the end of 2015 to help developing countries reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for women and children’s health.

The head of Oxfam's Washington office Nicolas Mombrial said:

"This announcement is welcome and more investment is urgently needed. Progress on improving women’s and children’s health is severely off track. Every day about 800 women die due to complications of pregnancy and child birth and 99 per cent of these deaths occur in developing countries

"It’s critical that additional funds are used to maintain and improve national health systems and ensure equity in access to health care. We hope this announcement is a sign that the World Bank will keep focusing on health as a key strategy to reducing poverty."