In the run up to Mother's Day, Oxfam Scotland 'pregnant'* break dancershave been emphasising the dangers of being a pregnant woman in a poor country without a midwife, access to a hospital or medicine.

Around 1,400 women die needlessly every day in pregnancy or childbirth, Oxfam Scotland is urging the UK Government to champion investment in free public health services across the developing world and help to reduce the shocking statistics around maternal mortality. The 'pregnant' break dancers have taken the message to the heart of International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander Paisley constituency highlighting that free quality healthcare is an essential plank of reducing poverty and inequality. Mothers-to-be, student midwives from the University of the West of Scotland and representatives from Unison were also there to give support.

Oxfam campaigner, Mark Kiehlmann said, "Around half a million women around the world die needlessly every year in pregnancy or childbirth. That is shocking in the 21st century. No one should have to check their wallet before seeing a doctor. That is why we are calling on the UK government to champion free Public Health care for everyone. What we need is for rich countries to give more and better aid and for poor countries to invest in free public health care."

Dancer Kerrie Taylor who works as a medical researcher added, "If a pregnant woman was break dancing then it would be dangerous. But when you find out that so many women die having babies in poor countries then it is clear childbirth in some parts of the world is even more dangerous. The run up to Mother's Day is a good time to ask that women everywhere get proper healthcare when they are having a baby."

ENDS