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July 29, 2010
AU Promises Prescribe Action: Achieving Maternal and Child Health in Africa

The outcomes of the African Union Summit in Kampala herald much-needed recognition of the dangers women face in pregnancy and childbirth, and the often limited chance of survival of their children.  From the widespread launch of CARMMA (the Campaign to Accelerate the Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Africa) last year, to the successful campaigning of WRA in Tanzania to increase the number of skilled health workers, and to loud and united voices calling for governments across the continent to invest more of their national budgets in health, African leaders cannot escape the steady call to address appalling high rates of maternal and child deaths in their countries.
 
African heads of state issued a declaration at the Summit that includes many commitments we believe are necessary (read our call to action here) to dramatically reduce the annual 4.5 million child deaths and 265,000 maternal deaths on the continent.  The leaders recommitted themselves to meeting their 2001 promise in Abuja to devote at least 15% of their national budgets to health.  This increase in resources is coupled with a commitment to strengthen comprehensive and integrated health systems, including addressing the “human resource crisis.”  And perhaps most importantly, the leaders agreed to establish a continental (AU) Taskforce on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health and to report on outcomes and progress at the AU Assembly each year.
 
The question, of course, is whether these positive words will translate into positive action.  The problem is we’ve heard it before.  In 2001, leaders committed to the Abuja pledge, but this year only three countries will meet the target.  Today, African leaders have now recognized that nothing can come of nothing.  It will take political will and actual resources to bring about change and save lives.  We must see leaders commit to concrete national health investments for women and children on their return home.  After all, a promise is a promise.
 
Luckily, White Ribbon Alliance members across the continent stand ready to welcome their Heads of State home, congratulate them on their commitments, and then continue the steady work of holding them accountable to these promises.  WRA members in Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, and Tanzania have enlisted their First Ladies to help keep this at the top of the nation’s agenda.  WRA members in Nigeria are developing a strong campaign to push for increases in the national budget.  WRA Uganda is mobilizing youth, corporate and faith leaders to advocate for improved implementation of maternal health policies and services.  WRA Rwanda is working to increase the number and access to skilled birth attendance.  WRA Tanzania is working with district leaders to prioritize maternal and newborn health in regional and district budgets.  Many National Alliances have enlisted celebrities and pop stars to help spread the safe motherhood message.  The list continues of citizens and organizations from all sectors coming together to make changes in their communities, to make sure their leaders know what is happening, and to continue pushing for what works to save the lives of women and children in their countries.
 
The recognition of the need for urgent action at the Summit should be commended.  But with five years to go to meet the Millennium Development Goals on maternal and child health, time is running out.  If we are to succeed it will take a real global effort – one that builds on the pledges made at the G8 summit in June of $7.3 billion resources for maternal, newborn and child health.  We must see the commitments from African leaders and donors come together in the global Joint Plan of Action in September at a meeting convened by the United Nations Secretary-General.
 
As President Bingu wa Mutharika of Malawi said, "the time has come for us to go into action" on the declarations agreed.  Since African leaders have the means and the political will to act, it is time to "show our people and the rest of the world…we mean to move the economic and social transformation of our continent."
 
Let’s hope that they do act.  Time is running out.  And lives are being lost every single day.

Betsy McCallon, Deputy Director, WRA Global Secretariat

Jo Cox, Director, Maternal Mortality Campaign

Click here to read the declaration from the African Union Summit.

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