On April seventh, WHO Zambia hosted a major advocacy assembly on the Taj Pamodzi Lodge to commemorate World Well being Day. This 12 months’s theme, “Wholesome Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,” emphasizes the significance of maternal and new child well being and highlights the necessity for extra investments in high quality healthcare companies to make sure a wholesome begin for moms and their infants.
The occasion introduced collectively coverage makers, well being care suppliers, advocates, and civil society organizations to debate initiatives to enhance maternal and new child outcomes in Zambia.
Keynote audio system included the Appearing Minister of Well being, Hon. Douglas Siakalima, who burdened the significance of maternal and baby well being as a cornerstone of the nation’s well being technique. “When moms obtain high quality well being care, they’re empowered to present their kids a wholesome begin in life, making a ripple impact that influences the well being of households, communities and our nation as an entire,” said Hon Siakalima.
The assembly underscored Zambia’s dedication to enhancing maternal and new child well being companies by way of improved healthcare infrastructure, coaching healthcare professionals, and enhancing the provision of important medicines.
One of many occasion’s highlights was the testimony of Emma Zulu, a mom from Rufunsa District. Emma shared her expertise of receiving well timed and efficient antenatal care, which helped her handle her low blood stress and in the end gave delivery to a wholesome child. Her story exemplifies the optimistic impression of high quality maternal well being companies on particular person lives.
The World Well being Group Nation Consultant, Dr Clement Peter Lasuba, emphasised the necessity for extra methods, investments, collaboration, and dedication to forestall maternal and neonatal deaths. “Allow us to unite our efforts and spend money on excessive impression interventions like emergency obstetric and neonatal care, improved antenatal and postnatal companies, and strengthening the capability of healthcare suppliers together with midwives, nurses, and neighborhood well being employees to make sure expert care at delivery, this may assist us scale back and stop deaths,” Dr Lasuba said.
In keeping with the Zambia Demographic Well being Survey, maternal deaths have decreased from 278 per 100,000 reside births in 2018 to 187 per 100,000 reside births in 2024. Equally, neonatal mortality has declined from 24 per 1,000 reside births in 2018 to 17 per 1,000 reside births in 2024.
To proceed this trajectory, the Republican President. Mr Hakainde Hichilema has prioritized maternal well being as a key legacy for his administration. He has directed efforts to construct maternal well being infrastructure, guarantee the availability of fresh water, and improve the provision of medicines, medical gear, and transport. These initiatives intention to scale back maternal and neonatal mortality charges and enhance general well being outcomes for moms and newborns.
The advocacy assembly additionally centered on partaking communities, empowering girls, and elevating consciousness in regards to the significance of maternal well being. Healthcare suppliers, academia, well being cooperating companions, and civil society had the chance to exhibit a few of their work to boost healthcare entry, handle well being disparities, and foster a more healthy atmosphere for future generations.
The occasion underscored WHO Zambia’s dedication to attaining well being fairness and guaranteeing everybody can lead a wholesome life.