AU conference reviews implementation of Maputo plan of action and seeks to strengthen partnerships in MCH


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AU conference reviews implementation of Maputo plan of action and seeks to strengthen partnerships in MCH

A continental conference on maternal and child health in Africa is being held at the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa from 19 to 21 April, under the theme “Achieving the MDGs through the Accelerated Reduction of Maternal and Child Mortality in Africa.”

The conference, which is being attended by government experts in the field of maternal and child health from AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs); relevant UN Agencies , NGOs, representatives of CSOs and community leaders as well as faith-based institutions: has the following objectives:

Review progress made in the implementation of the Maputo Plan of Action;

Identify the challenges encountered by Member States and other stakeholders in the areas of maternal and child health.

Document and share best-practices and appraise lessons learnt;

Generate key recommendations on:

the way forward in the implementation of the Maputo Plan of Action including extending the period to 2015 to coincide with the target set for the ICPD/PoA and the MDGs;

the theme for the June/July Summit on maternal and child health including key commitments and recommitments by the Africa leaders;

Mobilize support for the promotion of sexual and reproductive health and rights in the context of the Maputo Plan of Action and Campaign on Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Africa (CARMMA).

The Conference is expected to come up with

A clear understanding of the status of implementation of the Maputo Plan of Action as well as the state of maternal and child health on the continent.

To identify best practices and lessons learnt as well as practical recommendations on the way forward.

A process that will help strengthen partnership and better coordination between the AUC, Member States, Regional Economic Communities, the UN Agencies, NGOs and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).

Over the last five years, the African Union Commission (AUC) has been providing solid leadership toward the promotion of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Among others, the Commission has elaborated programmes and developed policies and strategies such as the Continental Policy Framework on SRHR and the Maputo Plan of Action (MPoA) for its implementation, adopted by the policy/decision-making organs of the AU in 2006 and 2007, respectively. The AU also launched its Campaign on Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Africa (CARMMA) at the 4th Session of the Conference of African Ministers of Health (CAMH4), held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 4th to 8th 2009. The main objective of CARMMA is to accelerate the availability and use of universally accessible quality health services including those related to sexual and reproductive health which are critical for the reduction of maternal mortality. The focus is to ensure accountability, coordination and effective implementation of existing plans and strategies. Since its continental launch, CARMMA has been launched in 9 AU Member States with their respective national champions who include Vice Presidents and First Ladies.

The elaboration and adoption of these policy instruments has been guided by the Vision, Mission and Strategic Framework of the AUC for the period 2003-2007 and continues to benefit from the directives and key strategic plan for the period 2009-2012

Source: African Union Commission (AUC)

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