Rwanda ups fight against maternal deaths

Rwanda is set to launch a campaign on ‘Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Africa’ (CARMMA), The Sunday Times has learnt. CARMMA is an African Union (AU) initiative aimed at accelerating the availability and accessibility of quality health services related to reproductive and sexual health. This move comes after the Minister of Health, Richard Sizebera, reported that maternal mortality had declined by 30 percent . Speaking on Friday after the closure of the World Health Organization regional conference, Jeanne d’ Arc Mujawamaliya, the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, said the campaign would go a long way in decreasing maternal mortality. “In a few weeks, we will be launching CARMMA in Rwanda in order to fight maternal mortality and to promote access of health services,” she said. Bience Gawanas, the African Union (AU) Commissioner for Social Affairs, decried maternal death as “unacceptable” and lauded Rwanda for expressing interest to join its fight. “The achievement already made in Rwanda is impressive; CARMMA launch will assist in boosting existing efforts,” said Gawanas. “Maternal mortality has been a silent emergency for long. Now we are mobilizing individuals, communities into collective action to ensure that no woman dies when giving life.” According Gawanas, CARMMA has so far successfully been adopted in Malawi, Ethiopia and Mozambique. “If some countries have been able to reduce maternal mortality, there is no reason why others can’t do it. It is my hope, through this campaign, that we will ensure that our renewed efforts save the lives of women,” Gawanas said. She urged other African states to also join the campaign. Ends