UNFPA Zambia working with sister UN agencies, UNICEF and WHO and other partners supported the Government of Zambia to host the first ever National Maternal and Newborn Health Summit.

The summit held under the theme, “Accelerating the Reduction of Maternal and Neonatal Deaths in Zambia through Multi-Sectoral Approach,” focused on evaluating progress and developing strategies. Key challenges discussed included the "three delays" in care: delays in seeking care, reaching care, and receiving care.

Zambian Vice President Mutale Nalumango who was the key note speaker at the summit, expressed concern on over the high levels of maternal and neonatal deaths in the country, calling for concerted efforts to tackle the problem.

While acknowledging notable reductions in maternal and neonatal deaths over the years, the vice president said that current figures remain high and fall short of the national target to reduce deaths by 2026.

‘’Though there have been some improvements in maternal and neonatal health outcomes in recent years, the country is still far from achieving the 2022-2026 national health strategic plan targets. This is unacceptable for our country.’’ The Vice President said.

Maternal deaths in the country stand at 278 per 100,000 with the current estimate at 135 ( in 2024) live births against the national target of less than100, while neonatal mortality is at 27per 1,000 live births against the national target of less than 12 per1,000 live births, she said.

The vice president said the country needs to analyze the root causes of maternal and neonatal deaths apart from focusing on poor health services.

She added that the government is committed to improving the health of citizens, especially mothers and their newborn babies, through various interventions in the health sector.

Beatrice Mutali, the United Nations resident coordinator in Zambia, called for more efforts to tackle the problem of maternal and neonatal health in Zambia, which remains high.

Beatrice Mutali, the United Nations resident coordinator in Zambia, called for more efforts to tackle the problem of maternal and neonatal health in Zambia, which remains high.

She said that preventive deaths continue due to limit access to affordable healthcare services, among other reasons, and expressed the UN's commitment to supporting the government in improving access to healthcare services, especially for vulnerable populations.

The summit brought together technocrats in maternal and reproductive health, government and civic leaders, traditional leaders, members of the clergy, civil society and health service providers.

Some commitments from the summit: Improving data-driven decision-making and enhancing the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics System, strengthening health supply chains and logistics, integrating quality improvements in maternal and newborn health services and addressing human resource gaps.