Zambia - Atlas of our Changing Environment

Target: Reduce by three quarters the maternal mortality ratio and achieve universal access to reproductive health

The maternal mortality ratio has decreased from 649 to 591 deaths per 100,000 live births between 1996 and 2007. However, this decrease

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is far from being a reduction of three quarters.

In order for Zambia to achieve this goal, the number of women dying due to complications during pregnancy and child birth needs to reduce significantly. The presence of trained midwives at birth sites would help achieve this goal. There is also a need to improve rural feeder roads and transport systems so that pregnant women have better access to health centres and their services (UNDP, 2012).

Figure 3.3 Maternal Health World Health Organazation, 2005

Hospital staff with a patient in Zambia The LifeWrap, 2009

Lungu, I.G.,

Table 3.3 Zambia’s MDG-5 targets

Latest Figure

2015 Target

Will Target be Achieved under the Present Trend

Goal

Target

Indicator

MDG 5: Improving maternal health

Target 5.A: Reduce by three quarters, between 1990 and 2015, the maternal mortality ratio Target 5.B: Achieve, by 2015, universal access to reproductive health

Maternal mortality ratio per 100,000 live births Births attended by skilled personnel Contraceptive prevalence rate (%)

591.2 162.3 Significant reforms and investments needed

46.5

24.6

UNDP, 2012

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Chapter 3 - Track ing Zambia’s Environmental Per formance

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