The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has committed $200 million to support maternal and child health during childbirth. This generous donation was announced during the nonprofit’s annual Goalkeepers conference at the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Melinda French Gates, co-founder and co-chair of the foundation, passionately addressed the issue and introduced herself as “Nona,” or grandmother, pointing to her eldest daughter, Jennifer, in the audience in New York.
The foundation has allocated $100 million each to health products manufacturer Unitaid and UNFPA, the UN agency for reproductive health. The funds will be used to enhance access to healthcare, contraceptive supplies, and information in low- and middle-income countries. Unitaid has been a longtime recipient of support from the Gates Foundation, with previous donations in 2012 and 2017. The Goalkeepers initiative, established in 2017, monitors progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to reduce poverty, improve health and education, and protect the environment. However, progress has been hindered due to the pandemic and the war in Ukraine.
French Gates honored former President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter with a lifetime achievement award for their dedication to eradicating guinea worm disease. Additionally, singer Bono was recognized for his advocacy work in providing healthcare access in developing countries and his contributions to the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, which has saved millions of lives. The fate of the program, set to expire soon, is uncertain due to demands from Republican lawmakers regarding abortion services and funding limitations for NGOs.
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