Kiwanis International Hopes To Raise US$110 Million For Mnt Project

KUALA LUMPUR, March 24 (Bernama) -- Kiwanis International through its "Eliminate Project" hopes to raise US$110 million to support the United Nations Children Fund (Unicef) and its partners in its efforts to eliminate Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus (MNT). Kiwanis International Foundation's president D. Hugh Siggins said the project would save or protect 61 million women and their future babies who are at risk of MNT in 38 countries. "While it cost less than US$2 for the three doses of vaccines that protect against MNT, millions of women in many areas, especially in places where healthcare is limited, have not received this important vaccination," he said at the handing over of US$25,000 contribution from Bina Puri Holdings Berhad for the project here today. Tetanus is a painful disease that kills one baby every nine minutes and 160 newborns die each day from neonatal tetanus, while maternal tetanus is a disease threatening millions of mothers as a result of unhygienic childbirth practices. Hwang Chia Sing, Kiwanis International Foundation's trustee, said Kiwanis Malaysia has set a goal to raise US$1 million by 2015 to support the project. "Bina Puri's donation come in timely and help us save more than 138,000 future babies lives," he said. Chairman of Bina Puri Holding Bhd Datuk Wong Foon Meng said besides being an international player in the construction industry, the company always supported charity work as part of its corporate social responsibility programme. -- BERNAMA