WHO Reaffirms Commitment To Maternal, Newborn Survival

During the World Health Organisations’ (WHO) seventy-sixth World Health Assembly, delegates from Committee A reaffirmed their commitment towards improving maternal, and newborn survival.

While discussing the progress against the Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s, and Adolescent Health (2016-2030) and drawing comments from a high number of Member States, the delegates strongly reiterated their commitment to the Strategy as a priority for global health and expressed alarm about stalling progress in improving maternal and newborn survival.

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The Director-General’s report on the Strategy presented to the World Health Assembly expressed alarm that maternal mortality rates have stagnated since 2016.

Furthermore, if current trends continue, it said, 54 countries will fall short of meeting the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target for under-five mortality and 63 countries will not achieve the SDG target for neonatal mortality.

Levels of violence against women and girls remain alarmingly high, while mental health challenges represent an increasing health threat for adolescents.

They also stressed the importance of an integrated, life-course approach to improving outcomes, including access to sexual and reproductive health services, as well as greater efforts and investment to accelerate progress in the poorest, fragile and conflict-affected countries.