An official from the Uganda Women Network Maureen Agena has appealed to African leaders to focus more resources in controlling maternal and infant mortality on the continent in order to achieve the Millennium Development Goal of reducing deaths for newborns and mothers in the remaining five years.

African Union Chairman and Malawi President, Bingu wa Mutharika

This comes as Uganda prepares to host the 15^th Africa Union summit slated for 25th to 27^th July, 2010.

She says that despite Africa’s limited resources to provide quality healthcare to mothers, infants and children, focus on issues of violence, human rights, education and poverty can help reduce maternal and infant mortality to manageable levels.

Agena says that the main causes of mother’s deaths like bleeding, infections, abortions and obstructed labour can be prevented with increased African government’s support.

She also appealed to African governments to invest in mobile phone technology and e-health application gadgets to allow mothers easily get information on treatment and other health related services.

According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Over 137 children out of every 1,000 born in Uganda die before their fifth birthday, while 76 infants out of every 1,000 die before their first birthday.

Also see

Uganda’s infant mortality rate still high

Maternal death (definition, causes, risk factors, maternal mortality ratio, maternal death rates)

Study on maternal mortality and neonatal morbidity in Africa (WHO study)

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