The decision of an NHS board in Scotland to deny IVF to smokers has been labelled as “scandalous” by a infertility charity. NHS Fife has said t...

It's clear that last week's London Family Planning Summit was a success. The vibe at the Summit was electric with many global leaders making big promises. A massive well done to Melinda Gates, who nudged world leaders to pledge more $2.8 billion in support of family planning up to 2020.

In reality, every single woman who gets pregnant takes a risk. There are lots of ways of viewing the risks, but let's look at the ultimate bad outcome - women who die as a result of being pregnant.

In many parts of the world, women rely on sterilization voluntarily as one of a range of methods for family planning. However, for other women, including women and girls with disabilities, sterilization is not a choice.

I'm happy to admit I never expected to see Melinda Gates, David Cameron and Andrew Mitchell standing on a stage in London talking about the value of family planning - and even happier to admit I was wrong.

The government is to pledge to donate more than £1 billion to help family planning services in the developing world. In a bid to help 24 million g...

This understanding that wider determinates of poverty have a big impact on the risks of mothers dying in childbirth is reinforced by evidence, not only from our own programmes but from scientific studies.

We all must be held accountable for fulfilling the promise to the poorest women and girls in the world of ensuring access to high-quality, voluntary family planning programs.

What are the first things you would grab if you were forced to leave your home tomorrow? Not many people would answer that question with "contraceptives."

Over the years we have seen a lot of good, bad and ugly promises, campaigns and programmes. Some, such as increasing child vaccinations, have been very successful. But in the run up to the finish line for the Millennium Development Goals in 2015, we see that we are still way off key targets for women and children.

Feng Jiamei, pictured in hospital, was forced into having an abortion at seven months The husband of a woman who was forced to have an abortio...

Feng Jiamei, pictured in hospital, was forced into having an abortion at seven months Chinese officials have reportedly apologised to a woman ...

UPDATE: Deng Jiyuan, Husband Of Feng Jiamei Forced To Abort Baby At 7 Months 'Disappears After Threats'Chinese Authorities Apologise After Forcing Wo...

Bill Gates' annual letter is always an inspiring read and today's was no exception. As an international health charity, Merlin is thrilled at the positive impact the Gates Foundation has had - not just on those whose lives are saved or enhanced, but on decisions-made and donations given.

Private clinics that charge for pregnancy services, including abortions, will be able to advertise on television and radio under new regulations. C...