Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
The World Vision Zambia has commended government for the significant progress made in reducing maternal and child mortality in Zambia over the past 20 years.
World Vision Director for Advocacy and Communications Wanga Saili however notes that despite the progress that has been registered, a number of challenges still remain to be addressed.
Ms. Saili has referred to the highest number of child deaths that are still occurring during the first month of the life of a child as one the challenges that still needs to be addressed.
She states that the World Bank notes with great concern that the majority of children under the age of five are dying largely from preventable causes such as pneumonia, malaria, diarrhea, malnutrition and neonatal complications.
Ms. Saili notes that such situation is unacceptable when cost effective interventions such as bed nets, ors, exclusive breast feeding, skilled birth attendants and immunization can prevent most of these deaths.
She says it is further saddening that the country may not be able to meet the Millennium Development Goal 4 and 5 of reducing maternal and child death.