OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 01/26/10 -- The Prime Minister's decision to put the well-being of mothers and children at the top of the G8 agenda is a positive step that could save the lives of millions, according to a coalition of leading development organizations that have united to form the Canadian Coalition for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (CCMNCH).

"In too many places around the world, pregnancy and childbirth are a death sentence - 500,000 women die each year due to pregnancy and delivery-related complications," says Coalition representative and CEO of World Vision Dave Toycen. "At the same time, 8.8 million children die annually before reaching their fifth birthday - it's just unacceptable. We are very pleased with the Prime Minister's intentions and look forward to helping shape this initiative with the government."

The coalition, comprised of seven Canadian organizations, including leading international development, human rights and grassroots citizens' organizations, came together in the lead-up to the Huntsville Summit to highlight the global emergency of millions of mothers and their children dying due to mainly preventable and treatable illnesses.

"By prioritizing the health of millions of the world's poorest mothers and children, Canada is recognizing the need for urgent action to address this silent emergency," said Plan International CEO Rosemary McCarney.

The CCMNCH is calling for Canada to cement its leadership by making a significant Canadian investment in an expanded Catalytic Initiative to Save a Million Lives (CI). In 2007, Canada invested $105 million over five years in the CI, a multilateral initiative that bundles proven health interventions, strengthens health systems, and saves lives. An expanded CI model could save the lives of over 60 per cent of the 8.8 million children that die annually from preventable causes and could also reduce maternal mortality.

"As a coalition we have come together, for the first time, behind this proposal to put mothers and children first because we know that Canadian leadership can have, and has had, tremendous impact," said UNICEF CEO Nigel Fisher. "Today the Prime Minister paved the way for the 2010 G8 to be a landmark summit for women and children."

The Canadian Coalition for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health consists of seven Canadian non-government organizations, including: Action Canada for Population Development, CARE Canada, Plan Canada, RESULTS Canada, Save the Children Canada, World Vision Canada and UNICEF Canada.