Deaths during childbirth in Ethiopia are expected to be halved thanks to a $43 million investment from the Australian government.

Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd on Friday signed an agreement promising the money over four years to help Ethiopia reach its millennium development goal targets on child health.

The cash is expected to dramatically increase the number of trained midwives from 2002 to 8635 and boost attended deliveries from 18 to 62 per cent.

The number of women who die during childbirth is expected to drop by half from 590 to 267 per 100,000 births, while infant deaths should fall from 59 to 31 for every 1000 births.

It is hoped immunisation rates will be increased to 90 per cent of the population.

'This work will build on Ethiopia's impressive health gains made since 2005 and help keep the country on track,' Mr Rudd said in a statement.


Source: http://www.skynews.com.au/