Since 2018, Maulete Joaquim has experienced two complication-free births at Songo Rural Hospital in Mozambique’s western Tete province; she gave birth to her youngest daughter here in 2023. “The hospital takes really good care of their patients,” she says. “Everything went well and all three of us are fine up to today.”

For many years, this was all too often not the case for women in Mozambique, where a protracted civil war had a devastating impact on public health services and infrastructure. Largely because of this legacy, in the year 2000, Mozambique had one of the world’s highest rates of maternal mortality, with roughly one in 160 women dying from pregnancy or childbirth complications.

However, the country has since made significant strides in reversing this trend by making maternal health one of its top priorities, saving the lives of thousands of women like Joaquim. In 2023, Mozambique’s maternal mortality ratio was 223 deaths per 100 000 live births, equating to an over 50% decrease from 2000.

Several critical interventions have contributed to this dramatic sea change. Among them, health authorities have made concerted efforts to expand both the sector’s infrastructure and its workforce. Between 2017 and 2021, 106 new health facilities were opened across the country, increasing access to health services. During the same period, the health sector’s overall human resources increased by around 15%, with a similar increase in health technicians.

“One of the actions that has made a major contribution to our efforts was the training of maternal and child health nurses, who play an extremely important role,” says Dr Caetano Pereira, Chair of the Ministry of Health’s National Committee on Maternal, Neonatal and Perinatal deaths. “Now, we are trying to accelerate this training in order to cover ever more health areas, particularly rural areas, where we know women are most in need.”

World Health Organization (WHO) has been a key partner in Mozambique’s ongoing bid to reach the ambitious United Nations Sustainable Development Goal for maternal mortality of less than 70 deaths per 100 000 live births by 2030. 

WHO supported the country to establish a maternal death surveillance and response system, which includes the identification, notification, discussion and response to all maternal deaths. The system is critical for reduction of maternal mortality because defines the necessary actions to prevent reoccurrence.

In 2019, the Organization provided technical and financial support to the Ministry of Health to update the training package on Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care, which was followed by the training of 40 national trainers across all 11 of Mozambique’s provinces.

In 2021, WHO also collaborated with health authorities to shape a comprehensive community health strategy. The Ministry of Health began to implement the strategy in 2022, initially in six provinces and now in all 10, with a particular focus on increasing the capacity of community health workers for early risk identification among pregnant women and their timely referral from the community to health facilities. 

Jorge Camilo Guemo, a community health worker in the town of Songo, is one of the 167 beneficiaries of a competency-based training provided by the Ministry of Health, with WHO support, as part of this new strategy. The training equipped him with skills in disease identification, first aid provision, population monitoring and community mobilization.

In terms of the latter, Guemo says this has helped community health workers like him to get more women to go to healthcare facilities to monitor their pregnancies and, eventually, give birth safely. 

“We’ve made pregnant women aware that they should go to their nearest health centre and register their pregnancy as early as the third month, then the mother and the baby’s condition will be monitored regularly all the way from then through to birth,” he says. “Before, a lot of women were not being monitored and were giving birth at home, which contributed to maternal mortality because there is not the same control at home that you have in a health centre. But now, there has been an improvement.”

A recent survey by the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) Programme shows that Guemo’s experience in Songo reflects a wider national trend. According to the survey, in 2023, 65% of live births in Mozambique occurred in healthcare facilities, up from 50% in 2003. This is consequential in a country where the maternal mortality ratio more than doubles for births that occur outside of such facilities. 

“The goal is always to keep increasing institutional deliveries,” says Dosmin Quintino, Director of the Maroeira Health Centre in Songo. “Every day, we are trying to ensure that this message is being taken up in the community, and with their help, we are certainly seeing progress.”

“Mozambique has made commendable efforts to drive down maternal mortality,” says Dr Severin Ritter Von Xylander, WHO Representative in Mozambique. “If the country can maintain the annual reduction it has observed over the last five years, it is on course to reach the sustainable development goal for maternal mortality by 2030, saving countless lives in the process.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Mozambique.

Liberia’s strides to eradicate the killer disease Tuberculosis through early prevention, diagnosis, and cure were boosted recently with the donation of four cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) X-ray machines.

First Lady Kartumu Yarta Boakai, dedicating the state-of-the-art equipment Monday during the World TB Day commemoration, said the equipment marked a significant step forward in the national drive to relegate TB to the history books.

“Validated by the World Health Organization, WHO, these are not just tools but elements of progress and innovation. They serve as a platform for TB screening programs and case management, producing TB reports in less than 15 seconds,” Mrs. Boakai asserted.

The modern machines, which are the first of their kind in the country, have been strategically distributed among four major hospitals, including TB Annex, JFK Medical Center, Redemption Hospital, and C. H. Rennie Hospital in Montserrado and Margibi Counties.

First Lady Boakai, who delivered the keynote message for the day, believes the high-tech equipment is poised to take the fight against TB to another level.

She thanked the Global Fund along with partners and stakeholders for their support to the Ministry of Health in improving the overall health condition of the Liberian people.
Health Minister Dr. Louise Kpoto, along with representatives from the World Health Organization, USAID, Partners in Health, Plan International, JFK Hospital, the Liberian Senate Health Committee, among others, joined the First Lady in commissioning the machines.

The TB disease is said to be serious in Liberia as the country is among less-developed nations with a huge number of cases.

However, the country has recorded some tremendous success, especially in the treatment of the disease. The 2023 Demographic and Health Indicator Survey puts Liberia’s TB treatment success rate at about 76.6 percent.

In her keynote address, First Lady Boakai acknowledged the progress but challenged everyone to do more to propel Liberia to reducing TB deaths by 95% and cutting new cases by 90% by 2035 as enshrined in the post-2015 End TB Strategy.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of Liberia: Executive Mansion.

A’ishatu Tafida, a 23-year-old mother of two children in Borno State, northeast Nigeria, has been sticking to her resolve to exclusively breastfeed her children for the first six months after birth.

“In the beginning, I faced a lot of challenges,” Aisha recalled. “There were days when I felt exhausted and doubted my ability to continue. But I found support from my husband and mother-in-law who is a nurse and encouraged me to be committed,”

Aisha’s journey began four years ago with the birth of her first child, Maryam. Like many new mothers, she was inundated with advice from friends, family, and well-meaning strangers. Despite the conflicting information, Aisha was determined to breastfeed exclusively for the first six months, a decision she now credits to her children’s robust health and strong immune systems.

Lifelong Benefits of Breastfeeding 

Breastfeeding is more than just a feeding method; it is a practice that offers numerous health benefits for both infants and mothers. Breast milk provides essential nutrients and antibodies that help protect infants from infections and diseases like diarrhoea and pneumonia. It supports cognitive development and reduces the risk of chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases later in life. Longer durations of breastfeeding also contribute to the health and well-being of mothers: it reduces the risk of ovarian and breast cancers. 

Breastfeeding also plays a role in food security, offering a safe, reliable, and nutrient-rich source of sustenance for infants, especially in humanitarian emergencies. 

Overcoming Barriers to Breastfeeding
Despite the proven benefits, many mothers in Nigeria face challenges that hinder their ability to exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first crucial six months.  These challenges can include the lack of support, social stigma, inadequate maternity leave policies, and misinformation about breastfeeding practices.

While promoting and supporting breastfeeding can help many communities in Nigeria tackle malnutrition, the county still records a low exclusive breastfeeding rate of 34 per cent. This is below the World Health Organization (WHO) global target which aims to increase exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of life to at least 50% by 2025. 

Collective call for action
As Nigeria joins the global community to commemorate the 2024 World Breastfeeding Week, the Wife of the Borno State State Governor, Dr Falmata Zulum, has called for six months of maternity leave for nursing mothers to promote exclusive breastfeeding. 

The First Lady made the call in Maiduguri, the state capital while flagging off World Breastfeeding Week.

World Breastfeeding Week offers an opportunity for people worldwide to join in the celebration and call for action. The Week’s campaign aligns with the larger United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)as breastfeeding is a central part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Emphasizing the importance of implementing policies that support working mothers to encourage the practice of exclusive breastfeeding, Dr Zulum further highlighted the need for breastfeeding-friendly healthcare facilities, supportive communities, and accommodating workplaces to create a comprehensive support framework for nursing mothers.

She made a case for increased investments in comprehensive breastfeeding initiatives and improved support for women in healthcare facilities and communities, in alignment with the policy recommendations from the WHO-UNICEF-led Global Breastfeeding Collective.

In a parallel event to commemorate the week, the Ondo State Commissioner of Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, during a press briefing in the state appreciated mothers who are dedicated to achieving six-month exclusive breastfeeding as well as those who continue to breastfeed their babies for up to two years.

Expressing gratitude to WHO and partners for their unwavering support in promoting breastfeeding practices, the Commissioner said,  “WHO’s initiatives, including awareness campaigns and educational programs, have been instrumental in encouraging mothers to adopt exclusive breastfeeding, significantly improving the health outcomes of mothers and infants in Ondo State. This collaboration has fortified the community’s commitment to nurturing healthy generations through sustained breastfeeding practices”. 

Achieving WHO global target
Underscoring the importance of breast milk to the baby for their first six months, the WHO Country Representative in Nigeria, Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo, said “Exclusive breastfeeding is crucial to the growth and mental development of every child. 

He said, “WHO stands steadfast in its commitment to support and empower mothers to exclusively breastfeed for the first six months of life. Protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding is more important than ever, not only as the fundamental natural, sustainable, first food system but also for the survival, growth and development of millions of infants.

By achieving the WHO global target of 50% exclusive breastfeeding, we are not only fostering healthier children and stronger communities but also building a foundation for a more resilient and prosperous future for all Nigerians. Let us ensure that every mother has the support she needs to give her child the best start in life.”

On the sideline of the flagoff in Borno state, no fewer than 600  lactating women, in the state joined over 30,000 lactating women across the country to celebrate the week by breastfeeding their babies at the same time. 

“This World Breastfeeding Week, under the theme “Closing the gap: Breastfeeding support for all.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Nigeria.

African health ministers and government representatives gathering in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, today kicked off the Seventy-fourth session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa, the continent’s flagship health forum held annually to discuss and agree on measures to address health challenges and promote people’s well-being

The meeting, which takes place from 26–30 August 2024 in Congo’s capital city, brings together health ministers from the 47 countries of the WHO African Region to discuss and approve regional policies, and adopt key resolutions to guide the Organization’s work on the continent. During this year’s meeting, the ministers will also nominate a new Regional Director to succeed Dr Matshidiso Moeti, who is ending her 10-year tenure at the helm.

“The Republic of the Congo is honoured to host this important session of the World Health Organization’s Regional Committee for Africa,” said H. E President Denis Sassou N’Guesso at the opening of the Regional Committee, pointing out that “health is our greatest asset … WHO’s commitment to this noble cause to ensure people’s survival is a great encouragement …”

“This meeting is being held at a decisive moment for Africa. The continent is facing unprecedented challenges that require immediate and concerted action on our part,” said Ambassador Minata Samaté Cessouma, African Union Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development.

Key agenda items include a focus on mitigating high rates of child mortality and the need to urgently turn the tide on this significant threat to Africa’s children. Polio and cervical cancer are two other health challenges that will receive special attention. For polio, the aim is to reinforce commitments and strategize to achieve complete eradication; for cervical cancer, a special side event will highlight the need to prioritize prevention through human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and screening.

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised Member States for strengthening emergency preparedness and primary health care, negotiating a pandemic agreement and supporting the Investment Round to increase sustainable financing for WHO.

But the new mpox outbreaks showed why sustained commitment and investment was needed to protect and promote public health in Africa, Dr Tedros added.

“WHO is committed to working with African countries and partners to bring the mpox outbreaks under control quickly, and I am confident we can,” Dr Tedros said. “But the emergency highlights the weaknesses in the health security architecture, in Africa and globally. This is why all Member States should actively engage in negotiations on the Pandemic Agreement and invest in WHO and public health, to protect people today and tomorrow.”

This week’s events will also provide a platform to recognize the significant progress made in the WHO African region, specifically the celebrated Transformation Agenda, driven by Dr Moeti during her mandate as Regional Director. The region has also been declared free of wild poliovirus, marking a historic public health victory, while 19 African countries have successfully eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease.

“Never before have governments and partners been so determined to make a better impact – through supporting integrated approaches to addressing health problems; focusing on people; and reducing the fragmentation that has limited the outcomes of significant health investments,” said Dr Moeti.

About 800 participants are attending the event, including representatives from United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations, civil society, academia and development partners, either in-person or virtually.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.