The New York University Masters Program in Global Public Health will present a special screening of the BBCs Panorama documentary Dead Mums Dont Cry, which depicts the valiant work of obstetrician Dr. Grace Kodindo in her fight to prevent maternal death in her home country of Chad. After the viewing, Dr. Kodindo will be available for a presentation and question-and-answer session about her efforts. The event, part of the ongoing Conversations in Global Public Health series, will take place from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 9, 2007 at the NYU Cantor Film Center (Theater 101), 36 East 8th Street (@ University Place), Manhattan. Admission is free.
Over 500,000 maternal deaths occur each year around the world. Virtually all of these deaths occur in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, and the vast majority could be prevented. The disparity is most striking when one considers women in Africa have a 1 in 16 chance of dying in childbirth, while the rates for women in developed countries are only 1 in 2,800.
In Chad, Dr. Grace Kodindo is one of only nine obstetricians serving the entire nation, where women have a 1 in 11 chance of dying during pregnancy or in childbirth. Dr. Kodindos struggle to bring better health services to Chad in the face of government indifference and a shortage of basic drugs and equipment is an important example of how one person can make a profound difference in the health of many.
Dr. Kodindo will be joined by Samantha Lobis, MPH, Senior Program Officer in the Averting Maternal Death and Disability Program (AMDD) at the Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University; she will provide an overview of AMDDs important work on improving life saving obstetrics services in developing countries.
- WHO: Dr. Grace Kodindo, an obstetrician in the poverty-stricken central African country of Chad; Samantha Lobis, MPH, senior program officer, Averting Maternal Death and Disability Program (AMDD), Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University; Dr. Lucille Pilling (moderator), adjunct assistant professor of public administration, Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, NYU.
- WHAT: Dead Mums Dont Cry: Averting Maternal Death and Disability in Africa, a special screening of the BBC documentary and discussion with the films heroine. The event is made possible in part by the generous support of the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation.
- WHERE: NYU Cantor Film Center (Theater 101), 36 East 8th Street (at University Place), Manhattan.
- WHEN: Tuesday, October 9, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
To RSVP , please visit http://www.nyu.edu/mph/events/.
The New York University Masters Program in Global Public Health is a collaborative effort of five of NYUs premier professional schools. Multidisciplinary in every aspect, the program seeks students who have completed an advanced degree (masters or above) in medicine, dentistry, public service, social work, education, management and other fields. For additional information, go to www.nyu.edu/mph