Dr Sambo calls for concrete actions to reduce maternal, infant and child deaths

The World Health Organization Regional Director for Africa Dr Luis Sambo has stressed that with less than three (3) years to 2015 – the time set for the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), what is needed now is not necessarily new science, but new commitments to prioritize, allocate resources, accelerate maternal, infant and child mortality reduction efforts in the African countries, and to honor these commitments.

He made the remarks in his inaugural address at the launch of the African Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (AFOG), in Rome, Italy during the just concluded International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) XX World Congress. The event attracted participants from various countries including gynecologists, obstetricians, consultants, policy makers, leaders from academia, science, civil society, representatives of Regional Federations of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and other key health stakeholders.

He observed that women are the main victims of the uneven distribution of disease burden and coverage of health interventions across countries, within countries, and between population sub-groups. 

“Women in sub-Saharan Africa have much more to contribute to society than bearing and nurturing children, as important as these roles may be. A range of pressures including poor health often prevents them from realizing their potential, including their potential for wealth generation. It is evident that improved maternal health has socioeconomic benefits, apart from its intrinsic value of being a human right issue”, said Dr Sambo.

The Regional Director reminded the delegates about ongoing global and regional initiatives and opportunities to reduce maternal and child mortality and pointed out that the formation of AFOG is another major step to address the unacceptable high level of maternal and newborn mortality in the African region. He highlighted some of the key roles the Federation can play. These include; advocacy with governments for allocation of more resources to maternal and newborn health, strengthening capacity for skilled maternal and neonatal care, supporting operational research aimed at scaling up key interventions for maternal and newborn health, along with monitoring of the quality of maternal and neonatal care in countries.

In his opening remarks, Dr Hamid Rushwan, the Chief Executive of the Federation of International federation of the Gynaecologists and Obstetricians FIGO, stated that the major goal of FIGO is to promote women’s health, the advancement of the science and the practice of obstetrics and gynecology world-wide. He said currently there are three regional federations of obstetrics and gynecology: Asia & Oceania Federation of Obstetrics & Gynaecology (AOFOG); European Board and College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (EBCOG); and Federation of Latin American Societies of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (FLASOG) and drew attention to the notable absence of an African federation. He commended the important role played by WHO particularly the Regional Director for Africa, Dr Sambo in the establishment of the African Federation and in the preparation of the AFOG constitution.

Dr Yirgu Gebrehiwot President of the National Associations of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists from Ethiopia was elected the new AFOG president.
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For more information, please contact:

Dr Triphonie Nkurunziza, +47-241-39132  Email: nkurunzizat [at] afro.who.int
C.Boakye-Agyemang + 472 413 9420 E-mail: Boakyec [at] afro.who.int