Tanzania seeks African Union cooperation to reduce maternal and child mortality

Tanzania is advocating for increased cooperation with the African Union (AU) to reduce maternal and child mortality rates across the continent. During a meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, alongside the 76th WHO-AFRO Regional Committee meeting, Tanzania’s Permanent Secretary for Health, Dr. Grace Magembe, met with AU Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, Ambassador Amma Twum-Amoah.

Dr. Magembe highlighted the importance of the AU’s support for Tanzania’s health sector and noted that Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been appointed as the African Union Champion for Maternal and Child Health. This role is viewed as a critical opportunity to mobilize African leaders toward collective action to save lives.

Tanzania is currently finalizing preparations for the launch of the African Union Maternal and Child Health Champion Roadmap, scheduled for September 9, 2026, in Arusha. Additionally, Tanzania has requested AU cooperation for a high-level meeting on maternal and child survival to be held in New York on September 23, 2026, on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.