Health Minister Appeals To UN For More Support On Maternity Deaths

Health Minister Jonas Chanda has appealed to agencies run by the United Nations for more support in addressing the high levels of child and maternal mortality in Zambia.

Dr Chanda told UN representatives that neonatal mortality rates remain high in Zambia: constituting over 40% of deaths under the age of five. The number of women dying in childbirth is also worryingly persistent, he said, with 15 women dying during labour every week. 

The comments arose during courtesy call from UN officials at the Ministry of Health.

Dr Chanda said it was “clear” that additional investment is needed from the UN in order to to strengthen maternity and newborn services and reduce mortality rates. 

The Zambia country coordinator for the UN Family of Organisations, Coumba Gadio, promised her agencies would continue to support the Zambian government in its healthcare needs.

In particular she said that UN organisations would support Zambia in its public health response to the Covid-19 pandemic. She said UN agencies have already provided testing kits, lab technicians, power and water supplies to Levy Mwanawasa General Hospital.