The first Lady Margaret Kenyatta has urged states that have not embraced the Campaign on Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Africa (CARMMA) to do so to enable the continent move forward together.
She however said it was gratifying that 45 out of 54 countries had so far launched CARMMA as agreed in the Maputo Plan of Action of September 2006 to reduce maternal deaths in Africa.
The First Lady said besides domesticating CARMMA in their respective countries, the 45 states including Kenya, had also undertaken targeted actions to deliver on commitments.
“The launch of CARMMA in Kenya, in November 2010, marked the commencement of a determined and sustained effort to address the unacceptably high maternal and child morbidity and mortality”, she said.
The First Lady was speaking when she presided over the official opening of the CARMMA week commemoration at a Nairobi Hotel today.
During the high level meeting attended by delegates and ambassadors from various countries, she also launched the Maternal, Neo-natal and Child Health Status & Mainstreaming Maternal Deaths Surveillance and response systems in Africa Reports.
“Investing in women’s and children’s health is vital for sustainable economic and social development. Healthy women and children contribute to healthy economies, political stability and shared prosperity”, she told the delegates who included AU Commission Deputy chairperson Erastus Mwencha.
The First Lady said efforts by CARMMA had achieved key milestones in reducing maternal and child deaths in various countries including Kenya but added that much more remains to be done in this regard.
“This (reduction of deaths) is good news for mothers and children in Africa. But it is not enough. We are not yet there. More needs to be done. We must, therefore, prioritize maternal and newborn survival and mobilize resources at all levels” she said
She said the huge loss of life occasioned by poor access to life saving healthcare should be a great concern to all people of goodwill.
“I believe that it is possible to make progress through strategic and coordinated efforts and working together”, said the First Lady who is also the Chairperson of the Organization of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA)
“Together with my peers, we are making a concerted effort to engage in maternal, neonatal and child health issues due to the number of women and children who are dying every day in our continent” she added.
She said OAFLA plays a key role in amplifying voices towards the elimination of mother to child transmission of HIV.
The First Lady said the 2014 demographic survey in Kenya had revealed significant improvement in maternal and child health indicators.
“Kenya has made significant strides towards getting to the 147 target of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births upon the pending conclusion of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and onset of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”, she said
The First Lady said she initiated the Beyond Zero campaign in December 2013 to support the government in accelerating its attainment of all maternal and child health targets including HIV prevention, treatment and care goals.
“The campaign was inspired by the realization that maternal and children’s deaths are largely preventable”, she added
So far, the campaign has delivered mobile clinics to 34 out of the 47 counties, latest being Mandera and Embu.
“The clinics have significantly boosted access to health services especially in hard to reach areas across the country”, she said.
Mr. Mwencha described the Beyond Zero campaign as a game-changer in bringing health services closer to the people.
Ambassador Susan Page, the Charge d’ Affaires, US Mission to the AU said CARMMA has been very successful in mobilizing political goodwill in support of maternal health and child survival.
The Commissioner for Social Services, AU commission, Dr. Mustapha Kaloko said Kenya was chosen to host the CARMMA commemoration week due to the leading role played by the First Lady in championing maternal health issues.
