Tanzania's Vice President, Deogratius Ndejembi, has urged for stronger efforts to improve the health and survival of women, newborns, and children in Africa. Speaking on behalf of President Samia Suluhu Hassan at a High-Level Meeting in New York, Ndejembi emphasized that such measures are crucial for building a healthier population, a productive workforce, and sustainable development in Africa. The meeting, organized by Tanzania and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, aimed to accelerate the implementation of the Three Zeros Agenda for maternal and child survival in Africa.
Africa continues to face high rates of maternal and child mortality despite progress in healthcare services. According to Ndejembi, the continent 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. He stressed that achieving the Three Zeros Agenda 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.
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. Ndejembi 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 emphasized that 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. He made these remarks at the High-Level Meeting on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. The meeting brought together stakeholders to discuss ways to accelerate the implementation of the Three Zeros Agenda and improve maternal and child health in Africa.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention collaborated with Tanzania to organize the High-Level Meeting. The meeting aimed to raise awareness about the high rates of maternal and child mortality in Africa and to mobilize stakeholders to take action to address these challenges. Ndejembi's remarks emphasized the need for collective action to improve maternal and child health in Africa.
Tanzania has made efforts to strengthen its primary healthcare system and improve maternal and child health outcomes. The country's experience with the m-Mama digital referral system and the monitoring of maternal and child deaths has been highlighted as a success story. Ndejembi's call for stronger efforts to improve maternal and child health in Africa reflects the country's commitment to addressing these challenges.
The issue of maternal and child mortality remains a significant challenge in Africa. According to Ndejembi, many maternal and child deaths are preventable, and stronger efforts are needed to address these challenges. The Three Zeros Agenda provides a framework for countries to work towards improving maternal and child health outcomes.
Key points
- Tanzania's Vice President calls for stronger efforts to improve maternal health and survival of women, newborns, and children in Africa.
- Africa accounts for approximately 70 percent of maternal deaths worldwide and nearly two-thirds of deaths among children under the age of five.
- The Three Zeros Agenda seeks to achieve zero home deliveries, zero preventable maternal and newborn deaths, and zero children missing out on vaccination.
