Lack of health care ‘kills millions’

MILLIONS of people in poor countries are dying because free health care is not available, a British report warned yesterday.

The research by more than 60 organisations found that half a million pregnant women die each year because they cannot access medical care and people face abuses such as being imprisoned in clinics because they cannot pay doctors’ fees.

The report, Your Money Or Your Life, urges governments to offer a lifeline to the poor when they have the chance next week toexpand free healthcare in developing countries.

World leaders will meet at the United Nations General Assembly on September 23, where they are expected to extend free health services in at least seven countries – Burundi, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Nepal and Sierra Leone.

But charities and trade unions signed up to thereport, including Action Aid, Merlin, Oxfam, Save the Children, TUC, and World Vision International, fear it will not be enough.

Oxfam chief executive Barbara Stocking said: “How many lives will be needlessly lost before leaders act?

“Poor people simply cannot afford fees and inaction will continue to deny access to life-saving health care for millions.”