Lansing Kiwanis learn of project to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus

LANSING | Gus Hawkins, district coordinator for The Eliminate Project, recently spoke to the Lansing Golden-K Kiwanis club.

With The Eliminate Project, Kiwanis International and UNICEF have joined forces to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus, according to the Kiwanis International website. This deadly disease steals the lives of nearly 60,000 babies and a significant number of women each year. The effects of the disease are excruciating -- tiny newborns suffer repeated, painful convulsions and extreme sensitivity to light and touch.

To eliminate tetanus, more than 100 million mothers and their future babies must be immunized. This requires vaccines, syringes, safe storage, transportation, thousands of skilled staff and more. It will take $110 million -- plus the dedicated work of UNICEF and every member of the Kiwanis family.

Kiwanis and UNICEF previously joined forces to tackle iodine deficiency disorders, achieving one of the most significant public health successes of the 20th century. Now they working to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus. The project will reach the poorest, most neglected mothers and babies with additional lifesaving health care.