Africa Needs Enhanced Health Investments, President Samia Tells UN

Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has issued a strong call for greater investment in Africa’s health infrastructure, emphasizing the critical need to reduce and ultimately eradicate preventable deaths among mothers, newborns, and children across the continent.

During the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, delivered by Vice President Deogratius Ndejembi, President Samia highlighted that the health and survival rates of African women and children are a key indicator of the continent’s overall health systems, human capital development, and economic prosperity.

She urged African nations to prioritize the “three zeros”: zero preventable maternal and child deaths, zero home deliveries, and zero unvaccinated children. Achieving these ambitious goals, she stated, will necessitate unwavering political commitment, sufficient financial resources, and robust partnerships between African countries and the global community.

President Samia pointed out that Africa disproportionately accounts for a significant majority of global maternal deaths and deaths among children under five, despite the existence of life-saving interventions. She used Tanzania’s own progress as an example, noting a substantial increase in facility-based deliveries, rising from 51% in 2015 to 81% in 2022, demonstrating the impact of focused investment and political will.

Discussions at the assembly, informed by data from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), revealed that many of these maternal and child deaths are preventable. Weaknesses in service delivery, healthcare worker shortages, insufficient medical supplies, and inadequate information systems were identified as persistent challenges.

President Samia stressed that true health sovereignty for Africa lies in ensuring that women and children receive the care they need, when they need it. She concluded by reiterating that while the agenda is achievable, it hinges on sustained political leadership, adequate financing, and strengthened partnerships. The ongoing 81st UN General Assembly session is addressing critical global issues under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: a United Nations that delivers for all.”

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)