The following editorials and opinion piece address issues surrounding maternal and child health care.

The Lancet: Women, children, and adolescents: the post-2015 agenda
Editorial Board

“…A new concept of health that moves away from the notions of absence of disease and survival towards wellbeing, resilience, and capability could be integral to, and unify the many domains of, the currently proposed SDGs. However, [the independent Expert Review Group on Information and Accountability for Women’s and Children’s health (iERG)] warns that we cannot afford to wait for the SDGs to be fully developed and agreed, and argues for a more inclusive Global Strategy for Women’s and Children’s Health now. Starting this agenda now, with women, children, and adolescent girls at the center of sustainable development, and the discussions about goals taking this into account, would be a truly remarkable step towards a sustainable future” (9/27).

Toronto Star: A welcome call to boost women’s health
Editorial Board

While the global fight against the brutal Islamic State dominated deliberations at the United Nations, Prime Minister Stephen Harper took a moment to remind world leaders that saving lives is also within their power. … His words would have carried more weight if Harper had topped up Canada’s existing contribution. His appeal would have been more persuasive if his government weren’t cutting Canada’s foreign assistance budget, shifting its focus from aid to trade, and denying women access to safe abortions in countries where rape, HIV, and adolescent pregnancies are prevalent. … ‘We have it in our power to create a better kind of world for our children’s children than we have today,’ he told the assembly. Those are sentiments all Canadians can endorse, even those who wish Harper’s actions better matched his compassionate words” (9/28).

Huffington Post: Why The Fight For Maternal and Child Health Is A Race Against Time
Sharon D’Agostino, vice president of corporate citizenship at Johnson & Johnson

“…The most vulnerable mothers, infants, and children need our steadfast, collective commitment through 2015 and beyond. Despite the efforts of governments, U.N. agencies, NGOs, foundations, health care associations, academic institutions, and private sector companies, maternal and child health will remain the ‘unfinished agenda’ of the MDGs. … Together we must ensure that women’s and children’s health and survival remain at the forefront of the global health agenda. We cannot move on before we complete the work begun at the start of the new millennium. Families and communities everywhere will be stronger because we do” (9/29).