UNFPA urges five-point action to reduce maternal deaths in Africa

Speaking at a media engagement in Accra during his to Ghana for the African Union Extraordinary Summit on Health, Dr Sennen Hounton, UNFPA Regional Director for West and Central Africa, said reducing maternal deaths required action beyond the health sector.

He said only seven African countries had maternal mortality ratios below 70 deaths per 100,000 live births and called for increased investment in maternal and child health services and local production of vaccines and other essential health products.

He noted that despite strong political commitment by many African governments, progress in reducing maternal mortality remained slow due to health system weaknesses and broader socio-economic challenges.