Zambia, Austria seal deal to reduce infant and maternal mortality

Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-05 22:36:26|Editor: Mu Xuequan
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LUSAKA, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Zambia and Austria have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at reducing infant and maternal mortality rates in the southern African nation, an official said on Sunday.

The deal will also see the rehabilitation of the country's only cancer hospital situated at the University of Zambia, the country's referral hospital, to international standards.

Anthony Mukwita, Zambia's Ambassador to Germany who is also accredited to Austria, said the MoU will facilitate for the rehabilitation and upgrading of infants and mothers wards and the cancer hospital over a period of 15 years.

The move will lead to drastic reduction in the numbers of mothers and babies dying during child birth and at birth, according to a release.

While acknowledging that Zambia has made strides in reducing maternal mortality and infant deaths, the envoy noted that the government was keen to ensure that the mortalities are further reduced and completely stopped.

On cancer, he said the deal will seek to ensure that cancer deaths and infections are reduced due to early detection and treatment once the cancer hospital was upgraded.

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