The Digest:
Philanthropist Bill Gates has highlighted a grave health crisis in Northern Nigeria, revealing that a newborn in the region faces a 15% chance of dying before their fifth birthday. Speaking at a Reuters event in New York, the billionaire urged global governments to reverse cuts in health funding, warning that the world is at a critical crossroads for child survival.
Key Points:
- Bill Gates disclosed that Northern Nigeria has a 15% under-five mortality rate.
- He spoke at a Reuters Newsmaker event ahead of the Goalkeepers report.
- Gates warned that millions of children are at risk if health funding declines.
- The Gates Foundation pledged $912 million to the Global Fund.
- He emphasized that private funding cannot replace government cuts.
- The philanthropist recently accelerated plans to donate his $200 billion fortune.
- The statement underscores the urgent need for healthcare investment in the region.
Sources: Reuters
