Obama: 'Too Many Still Die from Diseases That Shouldn't Kill Them...'

Citing 'conscience and common interest,' President Obama announces America
will invest in the health of impoverished mothers and children - U.S. Fund for
UNICEF calls on Americans to help save 25,000 children a day from unnecessary
death

NEW YORK and ACCRA, Ghana, July 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- During his first
visit to Sub-Saharan Africa as president, Barack Obama today gave an historic
speech before Ghana's parliament. Devoting one quarter of his speech to
address the deadly public health voids in many African countries, the
President placed special emphasis on the preventable deaths of children and
mothers, noting "...too many still die from diseases that shouldn't kill
them."

Acknowledging the public health strides that have been made in some parts of
Africa, Obama added, "When children are being killed because of a mosquito
bite, and mothers are dying in childbirth, then we know that more progress
must be made."

Obama went on to pledge America's support of efforts to stop preventable
deaths, "...through a comprehensive, global health strategy. Because in the
21st century, we are called to act by our conscience and our common interest.
When a child dies of a preventable illness in Accra, that diminishes us
everywhere. And when disease goes unchecked in any corner of the world, we
know that it can spread across oceans and continents."

Obama told the audience that his administration has committed some $63 billion
towards global health, and pledged it would continue the efforts to combat
HIV/AIDS begun by former President George W. Bush. While committing to
preventing deaths caused by malaria and tuberculosis, and the eradication of
polio, he noted, "... we won't confront illnesses in isolation - we will
invest in public health systems that promote wellness and focus on the health
of mothers and children."

Caryl Stern, President and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, praised President
Obama, saying, "We are deeply appreciative that the President focused a global
spotlight on the fact that 25,000 innocent young children die every single
day, from preventable causes. This is a wholly unacceptable reality and one
that we are working to change in countries like Ghana, and throughout Africa
and other continents. Here in the United States, I call on all Americans to
join us in our fight to bring that horrific number, 25,000 child deaths, to
ZERO."

Noting that President Obama urged the audience to view Africa as multifaceted
continent, rather than a passive recipient of international aid, Stern said,
"These words are particularly important for Americans to hear. This is the
story that you never see in the headlines." Stern continued, "Throughout my
travels, I have been privileged to meet many women, to hear their stories and
share our concerns. UNICEF partners with women all around the world, in small
villages and big cities, to help carry out our lifesaving work. In India, you
may find a young mother in a remote area who administers polio vaccines, in
Ethiopia, you may encounter one of thousands of women who have been trained to
vaccinate women against maternal and neonatal tetanus. These women are true
heroes, who go to great lengths to help not only their children, but all of
the children in their communities. It is important for people here to know
that their donations go not only towards the vaccines, medicines, and physical
supplies needed to save lives but also the recruitment and training of such
volunteers, who truly save lives."

Stern urges Americans to visit www.unicefusa.org, to join the "I Believe In
Zero" campaign to prevent child deaths. "We need every American to stand up
and be heard, when it comes to children dying of measles, diarrhea, malaria
and pneumonia...these things cost pennies to prevent or cure. Please join us
today, and stay with us until our goal of zero is reached."

SOURCE U.S. Fund for UNICEF

Lisa Szarkowski, U.S. Fund for UNICEF, +1-917-848-3618,
lszarkowski@unicefusa.org