Minister of Health says the country has recorded a reduction in Maternal mortality from 319 per 100, 000 rate to 252 per 100, 000 live births.

Speaking at the dissemination of final findings of the 2018 Zambia Demographic and Health Survey, Health Minister Dr. Chitalu Chilufya said this is significant progress in the reduction of maternal mortality rate.

Dr. Chilufya disclosed that in the national health strategic plan for 2017-2021, a target was set to reduce maternal mortality rate from 319 per 100 000 to less than 100 per 100, 000 live births.
“Fundamental health systems are being addressed, and it is important to recognize that goals have been set in our aspiration for universal health coverage. We are pursuing the national health strategic plan for 2017 to 2021 and we have set clear goals.”
“The Zambia Demographic Health Survey 2018 provided a unique platform for us to assess progress in our national health strategic plan,” Dr. Chilufya said.

He further disclosed that Under five mortality rate has reduced from 75 to 61 deaths per 1000 live births which is also significant progress towards attaining universal health coverage.
”Government has embarked on a robust agenda to attain universal health coverage and this is being through health strengthening system and primary health care approach,” Dr. Chilufya said.
And presenting key findings of the 2018 health survey, Zambia Statistics Agency Acting Principal Statistician Nakazwe Chola said the survey was implemented by the Agency in collaboration with Ministry of Health and other cooperating partners.

Ms. Chola thanked the partners such as United States Agency for International Development, President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief among others for financial and material support towards the implementation of the health survey.
The 2018 Zambia Demographic Health survey was launched under the theme ‘Participate for better health for all, living no one behind.’