HIGH MATERNAL MORTALITY RATIO WORRIES STATE
THE country is still grappling with high maternal mortality ratio as revealed by the Zambia Demographic and Health Survey of 2013/ 2014, the Ministry of Health has observed
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry Kennedy Malama disclosed that the maternal mortality ratio stood at 398 per 100, 000 live birth while the under-five mortality ratio stood at 75 per 1, 000.
Dr Malama said that this was unacceptable adding that the country’s target is to reduce maternal mortality ratio to less than 100 per 100, 000 and the underfive mortality ratio to less 35 per 1,000. This is contained in a speech read on his behalf by the ministry’s public health director Dr Andrew Silumesii during the final regional dissemination of Saving Mothers, Giving Life (SMGL) initiative workshop held at David Livingstone in Livingstone yesterday (Thursday).
“The Government of Zambia through Ministry of Health set a legacy goal to be achieved during the lifespan of the current National Health Strategic Plan 2017-2021...these strategies include reduction in maternal mortality ratio, under five mortality ratio, achieving epidemic control of HIV and Malaria elimination, among others,” he said.
“We recognise that these are ambitious goals but firmly believe that they are attainable. We believe now is the time to focus and scale up approaches that work, and SMGL provides the evidence of things working,” said Dr Malama. Speaking at the same event, U.S Peace Corps Country Director Brad Favor said SMGL initiative was born with a view of accelerating the reduction of maternal, new born and child mortality.
Mr Favor said, “At the time SMGL initiative was born, we set out reduced maternal mortality by addressing the delays that contribute to maternal and new born deaths; the delay in decision to seek appropriate care and delay in reaching care in a timely manner and delay in receiving quality, respectful care at a facility.”
He said that Southern Province was an integral part of the SGML initiative with more than 38, 000 mothers gaining improved access to health in Livingstone, Zimba, Kalomo, Choma and Pemba.
The Peace Corp country director noted that so far, there were signs that show that the initiative had recorded significant successes. “Preliminary results showed a 45 percent reduction in maternal mortality from 2012 to 2016 and 45 percent reduction in perinatal mortality. This is a clear indication that a health system strengthening approach using the three delay model can achieve remarkable results,” he said.