Tanzania leads African Union initiative to end maternal and child deaths

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan is leading the African Union’s “Three Zeros” agenda, an initiative aimed at eliminating preventable maternal and child deaths across the continent. The agenda targets three specific goals: zero home births without skilled assistance, zero preventable maternal and newborn deaths, and zero unvaccinated children.

During a high-level meeting held on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly, Vice President Deogratius Ndejembi represented President Hassan. He highlighted that Africa currently accounts for approximately 70 percent of global maternal deaths and nearly two-thirds of deaths in children under five, much of which are preventable.

To achieve these goals, the initiative emphasizes strengthening primary healthcare, increasing domestic funding, improving referral systems, and ensuring the availability of skilled health workers and essential medicines. Tanzania is sharing its experience in these areas, specifically citing its m-Mama digital referral system and maternal and child mortality monitoring systems as models for improving emergency and primary care.