01-08-2013, 03:36 PM
Boksburg – Action to save the lives of women and children will be on top of the agenda as leaders from African countries meet to find solutions to prevent maternal and child mortality.
Despite the success in reducing maternal and child mortality in Africa, more than 57% of maternal deaths still occur in the continent.
With 900 days left for countries to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) deadline, leaders from the continent - including ministers of health and technical experts - will put the spotlight on this challenge during the three-day International Maternal, New-born and Child Health (MNCH) Conference.
Dealing with maternal and child mortality was put on the international agenda of the United Nations as Goal number 4 in the (MDGs).
The participants are expected to develop an action plan to scale-up implementation and monitoring of MNCH in Africa.
The conference, which started today, will identify ways to accelerate efforts to reach existing global health commitments and to overcome underlying challenges linked to persistent gender inequality, social exclusion and weak public health systems.
President Jacob Zuma, who delivered the keynote address, is optimistic that a lot can still be achieved in 900 days.
“The fact that we have gathered here today is also an indication that we have faith in ourselves. We have faith that we can review progress made, identify continuing challenges, generate new knowledge that we can use when we go back home, learn from one another and finally develop an action plan to take this continent forward. The important fact is that as leaders, it is within our power to do everything to ensure that no woman dies while giving life,†Zuma said.
He also noted that leaders recognised the importance of women and children’s health in the development of nations. He said this is why the African Union was proactive in its approach and did not solely rely on the United Nations.
“We also do our bit. Under the theme, ‘No woman should die while giving life’, we launched the Campaign on Accelerated Reduction of Maternal and Child Mortality in Africa (CARMMA). This campaign was launched at the African Union Heads of State meeting in 2009. In South Africa, CARMMA was launched in May 2009,†said.
However, he said while CARMMA does not have a target date, the MDGs do. He acknowledged that Africa in general, particularly sub-Saharan Africa, was going to find it difficult to achieve the health-related MDGs.
He encouraged leaders to work together to ensure that no child dies from avoidable causes. He said as they review their work and map the way forward, they must remember that the Southern and East African regions have had a serious challenge of HIV and Aids in the past 30 years.
“This pandemic complicated and completely altered the picture of maternal and child mortality in our continent … This means that in our strategies to accelerate the reduction of maternal and child mortality on our continent, we need to deal decisively with the HIV epidemic and of cause its twin, which is TB,†Zuma said.
Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, said the death of a mother was not just the death of an individual - it was a loss to the family and the community
“It means the survival of the young children that she may be leaving behind is not guaranteed, and if they survive, they may not reach their full potential in life.â€
Dlamini Zuma said there was a need to accelerate the work of the campaign to reduce maternal mortality, as well as putting more focus on the development of human capital.
She said it was unacceptable that women continue to die while giving birth, adding that investing in child health was not expenditure but an investment.
South African Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi said he believed zero deaths were possible due to the expansion of ARV provision.
UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibe also emphasised the need for a holistic approach when talking about women and children. He recommended a strong focus on obstetrics and access to a “one-stop shop†where women and children can receive lifesaving medicines.
“We need to look at life long processes. We need innovation like portable technology to reach poor people where they are …â€
Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund, Dr Babatunde Osotimehin, said if the continent is to continue the remarkable economic and social progress achieved over the last decade, reducing child and maternal deaths must be a top priority.
“It is within our reach that no woman should die giving life. The realisation of this commitment is also in our hands. We know what to do, we have knowledge to prevent the mortality… It’s not too late,†said Osotimehin. – SAnews.gov.za
Despite the success in reducing maternal and child mortality in Africa, more than 57% of maternal deaths still occur in the continent.
With 900 days left for countries to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) deadline, leaders from the continent - including ministers of health and technical experts - will put the spotlight on this challenge during the three-day International Maternal, New-born and Child Health (MNCH) Conference.
Dealing with maternal and child mortality was put on the international agenda of the United Nations as Goal number 4 in the (MDGs).
The participants are expected to develop an action plan to scale-up implementation and monitoring of MNCH in Africa.
The conference, which started today, will identify ways to accelerate efforts to reach existing global health commitments and to overcome underlying challenges linked to persistent gender inequality, social exclusion and weak public health systems.
President Jacob Zuma, who delivered the keynote address, is optimistic that a lot can still be achieved in 900 days.
“The fact that we have gathered here today is also an indication that we have faith in ourselves. We have faith that we can review progress made, identify continuing challenges, generate new knowledge that we can use when we go back home, learn from one another and finally develop an action plan to take this continent forward. The important fact is that as leaders, it is within our power to do everything to ensure that no woman dies while giving life,†Zuma said.
He also noted that leaders recognised the importance of women and children’s health in the development of nations. He said this is why the African Union was proactive in its approach and did not solely rely on the United Nations.
“We also do our bit. Under the theme, ‘No woman should die while giving life’, we launched the Campaign on Accelerated Reduction of Maternal and Child Mortality in Africa (CARMMA). This campaign was launched at the African Union Heads of State meeting in 2009. In South Africa, CARMMA was launched in May 2009,†said.
However, he said while CARMMA does not have a target date, the MDGs do. He acknowledged that Africa in general, particularly sub-Saharan Africa, was going to find it difficult to achieve the health-related MDGs.
He encouraged leaders to work together to ensure that no child dies from avoidable causes. He said as they review their work and map the way forward, they must remember that the Southern and East African regions have had a serious challenge of HIV and Aids in the past 30 years.
“This pandemic complicated and completely altered the picture of maternal and child mortality in our continent … This means that in our strategies to accelerate the reduction of maternal and child mortality on our continent, we need to deal decisively with the HIV epidemic and of cause its twin, which is TB,†Zuma said.
Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, said the death of a mother was not just the death of an individual - it was a loss to the family and the community
“It means the survival of the young children that she may be leaving behind is not guaranteed, and if they survive, they may not reach their full potential in life.â€
Dlamini Zuma said there was a need to accelerate the work of the campaign to reduce maternal mortality, as well as putting more focus on the development of human capital.
She said it was unacceptable that women continue to die while giving birth, adding that investing in child health was not expenditure but an investment.
South African Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi said he believed zero deaths were possible due to the expansion of ARV provision.
UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibe also emphasised the need for a holistic approach when talking about women and children. He recommended a strong focus on obstetrics and access to a “one-stop shop†where women and children can receive lifesaving medicines.
“We need to look at life long processes. We need innovation like portable technology to reach poor people where they are …â€
Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund, Dr Babatunde Osotimehin, said if the continent is to continue the remarkable economic and social progress achieved over the last decade, reducing child and maternal deaths must be a top priority.
“It is within our reach that no woman should die giving life. The realisation of this commitment is also in our hands. We know what to do, we have knowledge to prevent the mortality… It’s not too late,†said Osotimehin. – SAnews.gov.za