LUSAKA, May 9 (Xinhua) -- Zambian President Edgar Lungu on Wednesday declared maternal and prenatal deaths a public health emergency in Zambia.
In remarks delivered during the launch of the 2019 National Health Week in Lusaka, the country's capital, Lungu said it was sad that about 786 women died due to pregnancy related complications last year.
"This is unacceptable but I will not allow it to continue," said Lungu.
According to him, there was need for heightened interventions to ensure that no woman dies while giving birth.
He called for a stop to cultural and religious beliefs and other practices which may impede the country's quest to attain good maternal and prenatal health.
The Zambian leader also called on the Zambians to take care of their health by adopting healthy living styles and eating habits.
He said it was unacceptable that 23 percent of all deaths in the country were due to non-communicable diseases which could be prevented by adopting healthy lifestyles.
The government, he said, was committed to ensuring universal health services for all citizens and called for concerted efforts from all stakeholders in ensuring the goal was achieved.
