PRESS STATEMENT
For Immediate Release
New York, 10.04.25 – Minister of Health, Hon. Elijah Muchima, MP, has underscored the strong political will in making progress to improve maternal and newborn outcomes.
Speaking as a panelist at a high-level side event on improving health and well-being for women and newborns held on the sidelines of the 58th session of the Commission on Population and Development at the UN Headquarters on 7th April 2025, Hon Muchima highlighted Zambia’s progress in reducing the pregnancy-related mortality ratio from 729 in 2001 to 278 in 2018 and 195 deaths per 100, 000 live births in 2024 and attributed it to the strong-political will.
He spotlighted that the neonatal mortality rates also decreased from 37 to 27 and 17 deaths per 1,000 live births over the same period.
Hon. Muchima noted that Zambian President, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema established the Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU) to improve the delivery of public services, adding that the public services targeted for improvement are the maternal and newborn services with an overall objective of reducing maternal and newborn deaths in the country.
Meanwhile, the Hon. Minister underscored the need to work collaboratively at the local, national, and global levels to continue making strides towards reducing maternal mortality and ensuring that every woman can experience safe and healthy pregnancies and childbirths
The side event co-sponsored by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) was aimed at sharing experiences, challenges, and opportunities in the quest towards improving maternal health outcomes.
Hon. Muchima is leading the Zambian delegation to the conference. Zambia’s participation is significant and underscores the country’s commitment to ensuring healthy lives and well-being for all citizens.
The session will enhance the visibility of Zambia’s health and population policies at the global level.
Issued by:
Namatama Njekwa
First Secretary Press and Public Relations
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Zambia to the United Nations
