UNICEF and Pampers Announce Partnership Aimed at Eliminating Deadly Disease by 2012
Geneva (ots/PRNewswire)
- Actress, Producer and Mother Salma Hayek Calls for Participation in Campaign to Eliminate Disease Responsible for the Death of one Newborn Baby Approximately Every Three Minutes
A global review confirms that the elimination of maternal and newborn tetanus, preventable diseases responsible for the death of one baby approximately every three minutes and up to 30,000 mothers each year, could be achieved by 2012, and encourages the public to participate in a high profile campaign to help those most at risk.
Titled Participate, Vaccinate, Eliminate: Together Against Maternal and Newborn Tetanus, the global review highlights that individual participation in the Pampers UNICEF 1 Pack = 1 Vaccine campaign, which has to date raised over 50 million vaccines for UNICEF, will be instrumental in ensuring the elimination of maternal and newborn deaths due to tetanus. It is expected that the new campaign will lead to the vaccination and subsequent protection of over 70 million women of child-bearing age, and their babies to come, born in high-risk areas of some of the remaining 46 target countries. The aim is to raise an additional 200 million vaccines over the next three years.
Speaking at the launch of the awareness campaign, Pampers Spokeswoman for the Pampers UNICEF 1 Pack = 1 Vaccine campaign Salma Hayek, who has recently returned from a visit to Sierra Leone to witness firsthand the impact of vaccination campaigns, commented, "The thought of losing a child to a disease which can be easily prevented seems unbearable, especially when it is within our power to prevent it. If you knew how to help save a child's life what could stop you? It is so simple with Pampers 1 Pack = 1 Vaccine."
Despite the progress that has been made to date, the global review emphasises that this campaign is an ongoing process requiring continued support.
Dr Francois Gasse, UNICEF Senior Health Specialist, Maternal and Newborn Tetanus said, "It is unacceptable to see a disease that has disappeared from the industrialised world still occur in less industrialised countries. Maternal and newborn tetanus are deaths that we shouldn't be talking about in this day and age."
"It is a privilege for Pampers to be part of a campaign that can help eliminate a global disease," said Austin Lally, Vice President, Procter & Gamble Baby Care Western Europe. "Between 1st October and 31st December 2008, for every pack marked with the 1 Pack = 1 Vaccine logo that gets purchased, Pampers will provide UNICEF with funding for a life-saving vaccine to protect a vulnerable mother and her baby."
"It is only by working in partnership that we can hope to meet some of the enormous healthcare challenges that we face in the world today. We truly believe this three-way partnership between Pampers, UNICEF and parents across the world will help UNICEF to support countries in eliminating this disease," said Lally.
"Maternal and neonatal tetanus deaths are part of the loss of millions of lives each year. This is unacceptable, and there is still much to do. But the opportunity to provide health, nutrition, education and water and sanitation interventions to improve the lives of those most in need has probably never been better. The challenge is to scale up what is proving successful. Innovative partnerships such as this one can help UNICEF achieve those objectives," said Philip O'Brien, Director, Private Fundraising & Partnerships, UNICEF.
For more information about maternal and newborn tetanus visit http://www.unicef.org. For more information on the Pampers UNICEF 1 Pack = 1 Vaccine initiative, visit http://www.pampers.com
Contact:
Media Enquiries: UNICEF Geneva, Veronique Taveau, Spokeswoman
+4122-909-57-16, vtaveau@unicef.org; UNICEF Geneva, Charlotte Perrot,
Communication assistant +4122-909-5714, cperrot@unicef.org; Pampers,
Rachel Bannister, +44-7961-426395 / +44-207-7798-9997,
pampersunicef@toniclc.com; Pampers, Tanja Levine, +41-5800-484-62,
levine.td@pg.com