| Acting on the Call Bulletin Updates on USAID's Maternal, Newborn, and Child Survival Commitments | |  Credit: Karen Kasmauski/MCSP | | | Recognizing the Critical Role of Frontline Health Workers in Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic  Frontline health workers play critical roles in preventing maternal and child deaths, fostering resilient health systems, and ensuring health for all—especially during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Among health workers, nurses and midwives have been heavily impacted by the pandemic but have bravely worked to continue care and support access to equitable, life-saving services for mothers, children, and families in the countries where USAID works. As many countries fight crippling second and third waves of COVID-19, USAID is working to support those on the frontlines, rapidly mobilizing and delivering life-saving supplies to India, Brazil, Nepal, and others. To end the pandemic, save lives, and build back a better, healthier world for communities around the world, we must work together to equitably deliver essential health services. | |  The "Acting on the Call Bulletin" is a quarterly newsletter from USAID focused on elevating how we are delivering on our commitment to prevent child and maternal deaths. To ensure you receive future editions, please join our email listserv. | | | Special Announcements 2021 brought exciting changes to USAID with new leadership and renewed partnerships and commitments. | | | On Monday, May 3, 2021, USAID welcomed Samantha Power as our nineteenth Administrator. In case you missed it, watch the recording of her welcome remarks. Stay up to date on her activities by following PowerUSAID on Twitter. | |  Credit: Amy Fowler/USAID | | At the G7 Foreign and Development Ministers Meeting, Administrator Samantha Power announced the renewal of USAID's long-standing and successful partnership with UNICEF to improve the health and well-being of mothers, children, families, and communities. The five-year award of up to $300 million will build on lessons learned from prior programs and continue to improve lives in areas such as health; education; water, sanitation, and hygiene; youth engagement; and child protection. | | Featured Resources Featured resources highlight new tools, data, reports, and webinars that we hope will be helpful and informative in your work to support maternal and child survival! | | | USAID's new vision for health systems strengthening (HSS) is rooted in approaches that are based on whole-of-society engagement, locally-driven solutions, and social and behavior change. The Vision shifts the focus from strengthening individual functions—inputs or building blocks—of the health system to a focus on the health system outcome goals of equity, quality, and resource optimization. Global data reveal that if everyone around the world has access to the midwife-delivered health services they need, we could save the lives of over 4 million mothers and newborns around the world. USAID's flagship multi-sectoral nutrition project, USAID Advancing Nutrition, compiles useful resources from across different sectors for a fuller look at efforts to improve nutrition. Sign up to receive the bi-monthly review or visit their website for previous editions. | | Success Stories Despite the unique challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has posed for the global health community, it has also cultivated innovative solutions, allowing USAID and our partners and programs to continue delivering essential care for mom and baby. | |  Credit: Dave Cooper/USAID Even before the pandemic, there was an urgent need for better access to maternal care, with more than 800 women dying each day from preventable causes related to pregnancy. USAID recognizes the disproportionate challenges that women face and is working to advance quality, respectful, and accessible care for mothers and their families around the world. |  Credit: Mwangi Kirubi and George Obanyi/USAID In Kenya, USAID-supported community health volunteers are helping mothers to deliver their newborns safely at health facilities, even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. | |  Credit: Frank Kimaro/Jhpiego Health workers in northern Tanzania are using a new phone call referral system to fast-track decision-making and prevent needless deaths of mothers and newborns during childbirth. |  Credit: USAID/Nepal Since the start of the COVID-19 crisis, USAID has been working to find creative solutions to ensure infants and young children continue to get adequate nutrition around the world while following and promoting recommended practices to limit the spread of the virus. | | Engage with Us Our partners and projects are hard at work to bring visibility to the health challenges facing mothers, children, and families around the world. We encourage you to learn more and get involved today. | |  Credit: Kate Holt/MCSP Use our Google form to submit content for our consideration and possible use in future editions of the Acting on the Call Bulletin and on other USAID channels. |  Credit: USAID MOMENTUM USAID's MOMENTUM Country and Global Leadership project recently launched a new three-part podcast series featuring country leaders on the frontlines of the COVID-19 response. This series will highlight experiences and strategies for maintaining essential maternal, newborn, and child health services, family planning, and reproductive health services in the face of the pandemic. |  Credit: Karen Kasmauski/MCSP Follow @USAIDGH on Twitter and Facebook for upcoming success stories and awareness events commemorating international days. All throughout 2021, watch for special content related to USAID's work and impact over the past six decades, in honor of our 60th anniversary! | | What We're Reading Given the unthinkable hardships facing health workers around the world, we are reading about inspiring individuals that are working to save the lives of women and children. | |  Credit: Ellyn Ogden/USAID | | For over two decades, Ellyn Ogden, USAID's Worldwide Polio Eradication Coordinator, has led a wide range of polio eradication efforts for USAID – from helping negotiate ceasefires in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to expanding the women-led door-to-door vaccinator workforce in India. Learn more about why Ellyn believes empowering women to be decision-makers at all levels of programs is essential to end polio for good. | | | Credit: Folake Olayinka/USAID | | Dr. Folake Olayinka, USAID's Immunization Team Leader, is a medical doctor and seasoned global health specialist with over 25 years working at the frontline of efforts to eradicate polio and strengthen immunization. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, she has provided essential leadership around equitable vaccine delivery. | |  Credit: Emmanuel Attramah/ Jhpiego | | Despite overstretched health systems and fear of COVID-19 infection, midwives like Juliana Brient are at the forefront of ensuring that mothers and babies continue to receive essential care during this pandemic. | | | | |
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