Obama: 'Too Many Still Die from Diseases That Shouldn't Kil...( NEW YORK and ACCRA ...),Health

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 i
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