Goal 3 aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Our medical infrastructures and general health have never been as strained as in the past three years as a result of Covid-19. The Pandemic has greatly exacerbated existing issues within worldwide practices. The UN hope improve these conditions by 2030.
As I mentioned, Covid-19 had a catastrophic effect on global health. According the UN fact sheet, at least 500 million people have been infected with the virus since 2019 and an estimated 15 million have died as a direct result of its effects. While vaccines were introduced in 2021, around 25% of the global population (approximately 2 billion people) still do not have access to a dosage. It is also concerning to note that despite developing countries making up 85% of global population, the same study believes that these nations will only receive 40% available dosages on the market.
The cost of the Pandemic has also put a strain on other medical infrastructures. In 2020, 22 million children missed their annual vaccinations needs to prevent life threatening diseases like the Measles. The BBC has also noted the Pandemic has been detrimental on our mental health. 1 in 4 people in the UK suffer from mental illness however NHS officials have said the service is in a crisis with not enough professionals available.
The UN have set out several targets to be met by 2030 to improve the overall global state of health and wellbeing. The goals first target draws attention to the high rates of Maternal Mortality (MMR: referring to a women who has died during childbirth or as a result of the pregnancy). It is estimated an astounding 94% of 300,000 pregnancy related deaths occurred in low income countries. By 2030, the UN aims to have reduced the MMR to 70 per 100,000 live births.
(above) Every Mother Counts works to reduce the number of women at risk
Goal 3 charity Every Mother Counts is ****working tirelessly to combat these current, horrifying figures. UN funding of Every Mother Counts allows the foundation to invest in maternal care training for local health professionals; medical equipment including electricity to perform nighttime labours; and improvement of local infrastructure like roads and bridges to access hospitals from rural areas.