Canada aims to improve maternal health in developing countries

The Canadian government is to provide C$161 million over 10 years to fund innovations aimed at improving maternal, newborn and child health in developing countries.

The programme, to be run by Grand Challenges Canada, will fund Canadian and developing-country innovators to tackle persistent global health challenges in creative ways. The investment is part of Canada’s commitment to improving the health of mothers, newborns and children around the world, announced by prime minister Stephen Harper last year.

“We look forward to working with the Canadian government and our partners to ensure that Canada continues to lead on maternal, newborn and child health innovation to assist in unlocking the potential of developing countries,” said Peter Singer, the chief executive of Grand Challenges Canada.