Dr Samia calls for increased investment in quality healthcare to save the lives of African mothers, newborns, and children  

NEW YORK: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has stressed the importance of strengthening collective efforts to save the lives of mothers, newborns, children and adolescents across Africa, saying investment in quality healthcare is essential to building healthy families and securing a better future for the continent.

Speaking on behalf of President Samia, Tanzania’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Dr Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, said Africa has made progress in reducing maternal and child mortality, but warned that these gains must be protected and expanded amid growing resource constraints and rising demands on health systems.

Kombo made the remarks in New York, United States, during a high-level discussion hosted by Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81). The discussion was held under the theme, “Accra Reforms: Completing the Cycle by Revitalising the International Development System.”

Kombo said Africa is developing a Continental Plan for Saving the Lives of Mothers and Children, which will establish measurable targets and strengthen accountability mechanisms aimed at improving the health of mothers, newborns, children and adolescents.

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Under the “Mother Africa Calls” campaign, Kombo called on governments, development partners and the private sector to continue working with African countries to ensure that life-saving initiatives receive adequate resources and are implemented effectively.

Ghanaian President Mahama, meanwhile, underscored the need for countries in the Global South to strengthen domestic capacity, improve health systems and increase local production of essential products, including medicines.

Mahama also commended President Samia for her leadership of the Mother Africa Initiative, saying the initiative brings together public policy and private-sector accountability to strengthen maternal and child health.