The African Union Commission and the South African government hosted the 1st International Conference on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health in Africa during "World Breastfeeding Week" August 1-3 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The theme of the coneference was "A Call to Action," and engaged over 500 participants including 27 African ministers of health.
While maternal mortality rates have fallen in the early 1990s, 57% of the world's maternal deaths occur in Africa, as well as half of global child deaths, according to the African Union Commission.
During the conference leaders accounced at the conference the development of a new action plan reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH). The action plan focuses on:
- Advocacy and evidence informed policy
- Leadership, Accountability and Governance
- Health Care financing
- Human Resources
- Strategic Information
- Nutrition
- Service Delivery
- Cross Cutting Issues
Click here for more information on the conference.