PASADENA, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
Producer, director and Oscar-winning actor, Forest Whitaker, will provide the
keynote address at a symposium on maternal and infant mortality tomorrow at the
California Institute of Technology from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The symposium,
entitled "Women and Children First" will explore why so many mothers and young
children die in Africa and will highlight innovative efforts to fight the
world`s most urgent and tragic crisis.
A woman in sub-Saharan Africa has a 1 in 16 chance of dying in pregnancy or
childbirth, compared to a 1 in 4,000 risk in a developing country - the largest
difference between poor and rich countries of any health indicator.1
Additionally, sub-Saharan Africa remains the most dangerous region in the world
for a baby to be born with 1.16 million babies dying each year in the first 28
days of life.2
Mr. Whitaker, who has traveled extensively throughout Africa, is a strong
supporter of health causes on the continent. He traces his ancestral roots back
to the Igbo tribe of eastern Nigeria. In a traditional ceremony, he was made an
Igbo chief during an April 2009 trip to the region.
The symposium is being organized by the GEANCO Foundation, a U.S.-based
nonprofit that develops world-class medical and educational facilities in
Africa. The symposium will feature speakers from internationally renowned
organizations committed to fighting maternal and infant mortality on the
continent. The symposium will provide a rare and powerful opportunity for the
general public to gain a clear understanding of Africa's greatest and most
critical challenge - preserving the lives of young mothers and their children.
In addition to Mr. Whitaker, the following speakers will participate in the
symposium:
* Lisa Bohmer of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation will discuss the
organization`s International Family AIDS Initiatives, which seek to strengthen
services for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Africa and
increase access to care, treatment and antiretroviral therapy for children and
families.
* Jean Duff of the Center ofInterfaith Action (CIFA) will discuss the group`s
effort to engage Christian and Muslim faith leaders and networks in Nigeria to
become partners for the first time in the national government`s malaria
eradication programs. CIFA`s innovative partnerships were praised by President
Barack Obama in his July 11 speech to Ghana`s parliament.
* Dr. Grace Aldrovandi of Children`s Hospital Los Angeles will outline her
clinical research, which seeks to produce sustainable interventions to prevent
mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
* Elizabeth Butrick will discuss the development and implementation of the
LifeWrap to prevent maternal bleeding and death. Butrick is project director of
the Safe Motherhood Programs at the University of California at San Francisco`s
Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health.
"There is no greater threat to a society than the loss of mothers and babies,"
said Afam Onyema, GEANCO Foundation chief operating officer. "We want to make
the public aware of this urgent and preventable crisis and to encourage as many
people as possible to join the fight against maternal and infant mortality in
Africa. We appreciate the support from the speakers, and we are honored that
Forest Whitaker, one of our country`s most talented and respected actors,
understands and embraces the importance of our efforts."
The symposium is sponsored by 89.3 KPCC, the Gilliam Foundation, and the Caltech
Y, in cooperation with Caltech Student Affairs. More information is available at
http://www.geanco.org/symposia/WomenAndChildren.html.
About GEANCO Foundation
The mission of The GEANCO Foundation (www.geanco.org) is to develop and manage
world-class medical, educational and athletic facilities in Nigeria. GEANCO
projects will improve health conditions and learning opportunities for Nigerians
and will allow for beneficial collaboration and cooperation between Americans
and West Africans. Famed Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe is the Foundation`s
Honorary Chairman. GEANCO is currently developing a modern hospital - Augustine
Memorial - in Anambra State, Nigeria.
1 UNICEF
2 2006 World Health Organization Opportunities for Africa's newborns Report
Edelman
Amy Hytowitz
P: 323-202-1028
amy.hytowitz@edelman.com
Copyright Business Wire 2009
