Tanzania calls for action to accelerate maternal, child survival in Africa
Tanzania Vice President Deogratius Ndejembi says Africa accounts for approximately 70 percent of global maternal deaths and nearly two-thirds of deaths among children under five. The post Tanzania calls for action to accelerate maternal, child survival in Africa appeared first on KBC Digital .
Tanzania has urged for more concerted efforts to curb preventable maternal, newborn and child mortality across Africa. During a High-Level Heads of State side event at the 81st United Nations General Assembly, Vice President Deogratius Ndejembi, representing President Samia Suluhu, highlighted that women's, newborns' and children's health and survival remain a critical test of Africa's health systems and shared prosperity.
Ndejembi pointed out that despite progress and available life-saving interventions, Africa accounts for roughly 70 percent of global maternal deaths and almost two-thirds of under-five child deaths. The challenge now is not just identifying effective strategies but ensuring their reliable, equitable, and widespread financing and delivery.
Ndejembi stressed that health sovereignty should be gauged by women, newborns, and children's actual access to care, not merely a country's ability to finance, manufacture, or procure health products. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) reported that many maternal and child deaths are avoidable. Africa CDC Deputy Director General Dr Raji Tajudeen identified weaknesses in service delivery, shortages of skilled health workers and medical products, poor-quality information systems, insufficient financing, and gaps in leadership and coordination as factors impeding outcomes.
He noted that while many countries have policies, strategies, and costed plans, the translated actions are inconsistent. The discussions focused on the Three Zeros agenda initiated by President Samia, which targets zero unsafe deliveries and referrals without skilled care, zero preventable maternal and child deaths, and zero-dose children.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted Tanzania's progress, including an 81 percent reduction in maternal mortality over six years. The speakers emphasized the need for stronger political leadership, improved data utilization, enhanced health-system capacity, and sustainable financing to expedite progress towards maternal and child survival goals by 2030.
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