Maternal, infant deaths still too high – govt
By Tony Nkhoma
DESPITE significant strides in improving maternal and new-born health in Zambia, challenges still remain, acting Minister of Health Dr Douglas Syakalima has said.
Dr Syakalima said despite the maternal deaths reducing from 278 per 100,000 births in 2018 to 187 per 100,000 births in 2024 and neonatal deaths declining from 24 per 1000 live births in 2018 to 17 per 1000 live births in 2024, the figures remained unacceptably high.
“These figures indicate that Zambia has a lot of work to do to tackle the persisting challenges that threaten newborn survival and the increased risks of mortality for women during pregnancy and childbirth,” Dr Syakalima said.
He said the death of one mother or a new-born during childbirth was one too many.
Children could only have a healthy start in life if women were empowered to receive quality health care.
“My ministry remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring that access to quality health services is equitable and inclusive. We are ensuring that every woman, especially in rural and under-served areas accesses prenatal care, skilled birth attendance and postnatal support,” Dr Syakalima said.
He said providing quality health care to the mothers would help in creating a ripple effect that influenced families, communities and the nation as a whole.
Dr Syakalima was speaking during the commemoration of 2025 World Health Day held under the theme ‘Healthy beginnings, Hopeful futures’.
He said this year’s World Health Day theme resonated and reminded government that the foundation of a healthy life began at birth and the country’s efforts today would shape the future of generations to come.
Dr Syakalima urged all stakeholders to support the country’s health system in addressing the systemic barriers that prevented women and new-borns from accessing the healthcare services they need.
