CB makes strides to end maternal deaths

COPPERBELT Province Per manent Secretary, Augus tine Kasongo has implored health workers in the region to continue working hard to minimise maternal and neonatal deaths.

Mr. Kasongo said he is happy that babies delivered on Christmas day are sound and commended the pro vincial health team for the hard work exhibited towards eliminating avoidable ma ternal deaths.

He has since urged health practitioners in the province to continue working hard and ensure that the region has a healthy population.

Mr. Kasongo has also en couraged residents in the province to embrace the spirit of giving and love during the festival season.

He said this on Saturday when he presented hampers to Christmas babies at vari ous health centres in Chip ulusuku, Masala and Twapia townships in Ndola district.

Mr. Kasongo has urged mothers that have given birth to Christmas babies to take very good care of their children because they are a precious gift that God has given them.

He said mothers and their spouses should ensure that the babies grow into respon sible citizens who should be able to contribute to the de velopment of the country.

"We wish to congratulate you for the safe delivery of these wonderful babies. We are happy as government and that's the reason we have decided to visit you and share these little presents we have brought,” he said.

And Copperbelt Provin cial Health Director, Robert Zulu, said the first baby was born at 00:10 hours.

Dr. Zulu said by 07:30 hours, the province had re corded 36 Christmas babies, out of whom, 21 were boys and 15 girls.

He said the babies and their mothers are in good health adding that no seri ous complication has been recorded.

Meanwhile, Dr. Zulu said Copperbelt has recorded steady progress in reduc ing maternal and neonatal deaths in the year ending 2021.

"We are yet to compile our statistics for 2021 but I am proud to inform you that it is a better picture. We have made serious strides in our effort to ensure that mater nal deaths are curtailed," he said.

Dr. Zulu said serious les sons were learnt from the mistakes committed in 2020 and as such, the causes of maternal and neonatal re lated mortalities recorded in 2021 were minimal.