ECOWAS moves to adopt binding charter on maternal mortality

ECOWAS moves to adopt binding charter on maternal mortality

Ministers of Health from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) moves to adopt binding charter on maternal mortality. Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) considering adopting a binding regional charter aimed at reducing maternal, child, and infant mortality across the sub-region.

The proposal is a key highlight of the 27th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Assembly of Health Ministers held on Tuesday in Freetown, Sierra Leone, and monitored by the News Voice Media Trust (VMT NEWS).

Speaking ahead of the ministerial session, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Health, Dr Austin Demby, described the initiative as a bold step toward addressing one of the region’s most persistent public health challenges.

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According to Demby, the proposed charter focuses on technology-enabled and data-driven strategies to accelerate the reduction of maternal, child and infant deaths.

He also said that the meeting was being held at a critical time in the region when it is confronting shared health challenges, particularly maternal and child mortality.

He noted that the charter had received endorsement from the Director-General of the West African Health Organization (WAHO) which would be presented for consideration by member states during the ministerial deliberations.

”We hope that it becomes a binding regional commitment that will guide measurable progress and strengthen accountability across West Africa,” he said.

He said that Sierra Leone was hosting the high-level meeting for the first time in 15 years with about 500 delegates including ministers, technical experts and development partners expected to participate.

Also speaking, Dr Melchior Aïssi, Director General, WAHO, emphasized that the assembly was the region’s highest decision-making body on health providing a platform for harmonizing policies and strengthening cooperation among member states.

Aïssi stressed the need for collective action in addressing cross-border health challenges, noting that no country could tackle them in isolation.

”Diseases know no borders; our response must be coordinated, collective and rooted in regional solidarity,” he said.

The WAHO boss added that the meeting would also focus on other priority health issues including malaria elimination which had continued to pose a significant burden on the region, particularly among children and pregnant women.

The Voice Media Trust (VNT NEWS), reports that the assembly coincides with the commemoration of World Malaria Day, with activities planned to mobilize stakeholders toward a malaria-free West Africa.

The meeting, which began with preparatory sessions on April 13, is expected to conclude on April 25 with key resolutions aimed at improving health outcomes across the ECOWAS region.

The meeting brought together health ministers, experts, and partners across West Africa.