President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been commended for championing an African campaign to end preventable deaths among mothers, newborns and children, as the continent continues to account for a disproportionate share of global maternal and child mortality.
President Samia, who serves as the African Union Champion for Maternal and Child Health, is leading the “Three Zeros” agenda, which seeks to achieve zero home deliveries, zero preventable maternal and newborn deaths, and zero children missing essential vaccinations.
The agenda was highlighted at a high-level meeting on maternal, newborn and child health held on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81), bringing together African heads of state and government, African Union officials, international health organisations and development partners.
Representing President Samia at the meeting, Vice President Deogratius Ndejembi said Africa must move beyond commitments and translate political pledges into measurable action that saves women's and children's lives.
“Africa must move from commitments to concrete, measurable action that saves the lives of women and children,” he said.
Africa accounts for nearly 70 percent of maternal deaths globally and about two-thirds of deaths among children under five, according to figures cited at the meeting.
Mr Ndejembi said President Samia's campaign focuses on strengthening health systems, increasing domestic financing, improving emergency and referral services, expanding the availability of skilled health workers and ensuring data is used to track results and identify areas requiring further intervention.
He cited Tanzania's experience as an example of how investment in primary and emergency maternal and newborn care, combined with stronger referral systems such as M-Mama, can help improve access to life-saving services.
The proportion of women delivering in health facilities in Tanzania rose from 51 percent in 2015 to 81 percent in 2022, according to figures presented at the meeting.
The Vice President said Africa's health agenda must also focus on greater self-reliance, arguing that progress should not only be measured by the continent's ability to finance, produce or procure health commodities, but also by whether essential services reach mothers and children when and where they are needed.
He called on African countries to strengthen political accountability, increase domestic investment in life-saving services and ensure resources reach frontline health facilities.
“The goal is to ensure no mother loses her life because she lacks transport, blood, a skilled health worker or emergency care; no newborn dies because life-saving care was unavailable; and no child remains unvaccinated because the health system could not reach their family,” Mr Ndejembi said.
He said protecting the lives of mothers and children was not only a health issue but also an investment in human capital, economic development and Africa's future, as well as an important component of the implementation of the African Union's Agenda 2063.
Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Director General Jean Kaseya praised President Samia's leadership and pledged continued support for her role as the AU Champion for Maternal and Child Health.
Dr Kaseya cited Tanzania's progress as an example of what can be achieved through stronger health systems, investment and political leadership.
Africa CDC figures presented at the meeting indicate that Tanzania reduced its maternal mortality ratio by about 80 percent, from 556 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2016 to 104 in 2022.
The improvement has been linked to stronger emergency obstetric and newborn care, referral systems, an increase in health workers and improved monitoring of maternal and child deaths.
World Health Organisation Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also commended President Samia for convening the meeting and championing maternal and child health.
Dr Tedros said Tanzania had reduced maternal mortality by 81 percent over a six-year period, describing the launch of the Three Zeros initiative as an example of leadership that should receive support.
He said the WHO was committed to supporting member states according to their respective circumstances and helping them achieve their health targets by strengthening clinical standards used by frontline health workers to save the lives of mothers and newborns.
Through her role as AU Champion for Maternal and Child Health, President Samia is pushing for an Africa where preventable maternal, newborn and child deaths are no longer treated as inevitable.
The campaign is being advanced under the slogan “Jiongeze, Tuwavushe Salama”, calling for additional efforts to protect mothers, newborns, children and adolescents.
The meeting was attended by African leaders, Dr Tedros, Dr Kaseya, Benin First Lady Nathalie Vilette Wadagni, African Union officials and development partners, including the Gates Foundation, Global Fund, Gavi, UNFPA, UNICEF, Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation and Beginning Fund.