This public forum to coincide with the United Nations Conference, Advance Global Health is being held in association with the Melbourne Writers’ Festival, Melbourne Conversations and The University of Melbourne.
Date: 31st August 2010, 6pm
Location: BMW Edge, Federation Square Melbourne
Good health is our most treasured gift. In Australia we mostly take it for granted. Yet in poor countries, often just a few hours flight from Melbourne, people suffer every day from debilitating diseases with no help in sight. Every year more than 340,000 women die as a result of complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Every year almost 9 million children under the age of 5 die from preventable illnesses - pneumonia, diarrhoea, malaria and measles.
Malnutrition, poor hygiene and lack of access to healthcare are the causes. The solutions are well known, proven and cost effective. So, why is it happening? What are our responsibilities to these people? And what is it we need to do?