President Lungu declares maternal and prenatal deaths a public health emergency in Zambia

President Lungu has declared maternal and paternal deaths a public health emergency in Zambia, stating the country is losing approximately 10 to 15 women per week due to pregnancy related causes. 

President Lungu noted with sadness that in 2018, 786 women died due to pregnancy related complications. According to ZNBC, the Head of State has called for heightened interventions to ensure no women dies whilst giving birth. He has also called for a stop to cultural and religions beliefs including other practices which may impede the country’s quest to attain good maternal and parental health. 

President Lungu said this today when he officially launched the 2019 National Health Week at the Olympic Youth Development Centre in Lusaka. He further said it is disheartening that 23 percent of all deaths in the country are due to non communicable diseases, most of which are preventable. 

The Swedish Ambassador to Zambia, Henrik Cederin said the National Health Week highlights Zambia’s progress towards universal health coverage. Meanwhile the US Ambassador to Zambia, Daniel Foote has urged all Zambians to get screened for HIV and that those living with the virus should get Anti-Retroviral Therapy to achieve epidemic control by 2020.