Africa-Press – Liberia. The Senate Pro Temp called for the allocation of resources to enhance healthcare infrastructure, build a skilled healthcare workforce.
Senate Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence has called for collective action to prevent maternal deaths and ensure the health and safety of mothers and newborns in Liberia.
Speaking at a program observing World Health Day, Karnga-Lawrence highlighted the urgent need for improved healthcare infrastructure, education, and resources to address the high rates of maternal and neonatal mortality in the country.
This year’s World Health Day was observed under the global theme: “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,” with Liberia’s national theme focused on “No Woman Should Die While Giving Life.”
In her keynote address, Karnga-Lawrence drew attention to alarming statistics from Liberia’s 2019-2029 Demographic Health Survey, which reported a maternal mortality ratio of 742 deaths per 100,000 live births, well above the sub-Saharan African average of 542. This means that approximately three women die each day in Liberia due to complications during childbirth.
“The reality of maternal health in Africa is a significant challenge that demands urgent attention,” Karnga-Lawrence said. She stressed that Liberia’s neonatal mortality rate is also a cause for concern, standing at 37 deaths per 1,000 live births, just above the sub-Saharan African average of 27.
These early deaths, she noted, devastate families and hinder the nation’s development, as every lost child represents a future unfulfilled.
The Senate Pro Tempore emphasized that reducing maternal and neonatal mortality must be a shared responsibility, involving improvements in healthcare access, education, and addressing socio-cultural factors, including reproductive rights and gender dimensions.
She called for the allocation of resources to enhance healthcare infrastructure, build a skilled healthcare workforce, and implement comprehensive educational programs targeting women, adolescent girls, and youth about reproductive health and prenatal care.
“A collective effort is needed to reduce maternal and newborn mortality, especially in rural areas, where access to healthcare is limited,” Karnga-Lawrence stated. “This requires not only investment in healthcare facilities but also ensuring these facilities are well-equipped and accessible to all.”
Dr. Abdullahi Sule, Officer in Charge at the World Health Organization (WHO) in Liberia, also spoke at the event, highlighting global maternal and neonatal health statistics. He revealed that 20 mothers and 120 newborns die every hour worldwide due to complications related to pregnancy and childbirth.
According to Dr. Sule, Africa alone experiences 178,000 maternal deaths and one million neonatal deaths each year. He emphasized that in the region, a woman dies every two minutes during childbirth, and approximately 2.3 million babies die within the first month of life.
Dr. Sule also urged for significant investments in maternal and newborn health services to prevent further deaths. “We need to scale up efforts to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality,” he said.
Senate Pro Tempore Karnga-Lawrence added by reaffirming the commitment to ensuring that every mother and child in Liberia receives the care and support needed for healthy beginnings.
She stressed the importance of collaborative efforts to improve maternal health, especially through better healthcare infrastructure, education, and public awareness.
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