Tanzania calls for stronger efforts to bolster maternal health, survival of women, newborns and children

NEW YORK: VICE President, Deogratius Ndejembi, speaking on behalf of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has called for stronger efforts to improve the health and survival of women, newborns and children, saying such measures are essential to building a healthier population, a productive workforce and sustainable development in Africa.

Ndejembi made the remarks in New York, United States, at a High-Level Meeting on accelerating implementation of the Three Zeros Agenda for maternal and child survival in Africa. The meeting was organised by Tanzania in collaboration with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.

He said Africa continues to face high rates of maternal and child mortality despite progress in healthcare services. According to the statement, Africa accounts for approximately 70 percent of maternal deaths worldwide and nearly two-thirds of deaths among children under the age of five, many of which are preventable.

Ndejembi said the Three Zeros Agenda seeks to achieve zero home deliveries without the assistance of a skilled birth attendant, zero preventable maternal and newborn deaths, and zero children missing out on vaccination.

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He said achieving these targets requires quality primary healthcare services, skilled health professionals, effective referral systems, essential medicines and equipment, as well as adequate financing that reaches the point of service delivery.

Ndejembi also highlighted Tanzania’s experience in strengthening primary healthcare and emergency maternal and newborn services, the m-Mama digital referral system, and the monitoring of maternal and child deaths.

He said Tanzania’s experience demonstrates the importance of combining political leadership, investment and accountable implementation to improve health outcomes.

Ndejembi called for stronger political accountability, increased investment in life-saving health services and greater efforts to ensure that commitments translate into action at the national and local levels.