African leaders are calling for renewed global action to prevent maternal and child deaths, with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the African Union Champion for Maternal and Child Health, urging countries to increase investment in healthcare and strengthen partnerships across the continent.
In a speech delivered on her behalf by Tanzania’s Vice President Deogratius Ndejembi during the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, President Samia said the country’s progress in reducing maternal and child deaths shows what sustained political commitment and investment in healthcare can achieve.
Ndejembi, who was representing President Samia Suluhu Hassan at UNGA81, stated that the proportion of births taking place in health facilities rose from 51 per cent in 2015 to 81 per cent in 2022.
He also cited an 80 per cent reduction in maternal deaths over a seven-year period, attributing the progress to efforts to strengthen maternal and child health services.
Tanzania is now pushing the Three Zeros agenda zero preventable maternal and child deaths, zero home deliveries and zero unvaccinated children.
Ndejembi said achieving these targets across Africa will require sustained political commitment, adequate financing and stronger cooperation between governments, development partners and other stakeholders.
Tanzania is now calling on the international community to back Africa’s efforts to accelerate progress in maternal and child health and ensure that preventable deaths become a thing of the past.
