PRESS STATEMENT
For Immediate Release
New York, 09.04.25 – Minister of Health, Hon. Elijah Muchima, MP, has called for strengthened multi-sector collaboration, promotion of healthy lifestyles, and enhanced early detection and management of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) at all levels of care.
Delivering Zambia’s National Statement during the 58th session of the Commission on Population and Development at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York, United States of America, Hon. Muchima said the government is implementing policies, including the National Health Strategic Plan, aimed at reducing NCDs but noted the need for enhanced collaboration.
The session is held under the theme ‘Ensuring Healthy Lives and Promoting Well-being for All at All Ages’. The conference, which runs from 7th to 11th April 2025, reports on programmes and interventions ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.
The theme of this year’s session aligns with Zambia’s goals to enhance access to healthcare, address health disparities, and promote well-being across all demographics regardless of economic background. Zambia, with its youthful population, holds a significant demographic dividend that can drive the country’s economic growth and social development.
Zambia’s participation reinforces the commitment to multilateralism and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).
And the Hon. Minister highlighted the notable progress Zambia has made in improving health outcomes such as the under-5 mortality rate, which has dropped from 191 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1992 to 42 in 2024.
“Maternal mortality has also seen a decline, from 729 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2002 to 187 in 2024,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Muchima has reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to ensuring healthy lives and promoting the well-being for all by improving the integration of population dynamics in development planning processes and population data generation.
Issued by:
Namatama Njekwa
First Secretary Press and Public Relations
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Zambia to the United Nations
