United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) and Pampers have launched a joint fight against maternal and newborn tetanus through the global campaign, ’1 Pack = 1 Vaccine,’ which has already provided funding for 50 million vaccines since its inception in 2006.

Every year, 500,000 cases of tetanus are registered globally with the disease claiming the lives of 140,000 young babies and 30,000 mothers every year, said an Unicef official.

But the full extent of the death toll is uncertain as vast numbers of tetanus-related deaths go unreported in the developing world, the official said.

As per Unicef estimates, for every three minutes, a newborn dies of tetanus.

Continuing their commitment towards helping eliminate maternal and newborn tetanus, the duo will launch the ’1 Large Pack = 1 Tetanus Vaccine’ campaign in the Gulf during the months of Shaban and Ramadan (August and September).

The campaign aims to raise 4 million vaccines in the GCC, said Karim Kamel, associate marketing director, Procter and Gamble, Babycare, Arabian Peninsula.

’At Pampers, we are committed to the health and well-being of every baby and the Vaccine campaign gives us the opportunity to not only help, but protect lives, of those who are less fortunate who do not have access to such facilities.’

’We are honoured to be partnering with Unicef to help eliminate maternal and newborn tetanus through this incredible program, which will impact the lives of millions,’ he said.

Despite the seriousness of the disease, prevention is simple and possible with immunization.

Tarek Shayya, chief of fundraising & partnerships, Unicef, Gulf Area,  said, “Maternal and newborn tetanus can be prevented through vaccinations, which help protect mothers and children against this life-threatening disease.’

’At Unicef we believe that every mother and child should have access to these vaccines, which have been available for 80 years. We are happy with the launch of the campaign in the Gulf and we look forward to building on the global success.”

Nashwa Al Ruwaini, a television personality with 18 years of experience in the region and a celebrity in her own right, has officially endorsed the initiative and expressed her support.

She is the host of Dubai TV’s ’Nashwa’ the longest airing talk show in the Middle East. Nashwa entertains, educates and engages audiences from all over the Arab world about the important issues of the day from social problems, to gender inequities, and to celebrity interviews.

On the campaign, she said, ’I am proud to be a part of the 1 Large Pack = 1 Tetanus Vaccine Campaign. This amazing campaign has protected thousands of lives all around the world. God says if you save one life, it is like you saved humanity. God commands us to seek ways to alleviate the suffering of people especially innocent children.’

’We must raise awareness in the Arab world that a simple vaccine protects the lives of thousands of innocent children. I urge all people of compassion to join in supporting campaign.’

’Most countries in the world provide vaccinations to every newborn child automatically. However, the prevalence of maternal and newborn tetanus continues to exist in least developed countries,’ she added.-TradeArabia News Service