Investing in health of women and children key to Africa's progress

A senior United Nations (UN) official said Thursday that investing in the health of women and children is key if African countries are to see any meaningful economic and social development. United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Resident Coordinator in Zambia Kanni Wignaraja said investing in the health of women and children will also help them to realize their fundamental rights. "Working with governments, civil society organizations, the media, religious and traditional leaders is the matter that requires undivided attention and fierce commitment for all. It is a call to action," she said. In remarks delivered at the close of a meeting of African governments on accelerating maternal and new born health in Zambian capital Lusaka, the official said there is need for governments to integrate HIV, family planning, maternal health and child survival as a comprehensive health package in order to attain the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of reducing maternal and child deaths. According to her, the success in maternal and newborn survival will only be achieved through a partnership that centers on core issues of human rights and equity. Countries that attended the meeting include Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe and Zambia. The countries agreed to collaborate in their efforts to ensure acceleration of progress on maternal and newborn health.