Ethiopia Pushes for Accelerated Efforts to Reduce Maternal and Child Mortality to Meet SDGs.

Geneva: Ethiopian Ambassador Tsegab Kebebew had a productive discussion with the Executive Director of Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH), Rajat Khosla, on November 28, 2024, in Geneva. During the meeting, Ambassador Tsegab highlighted the significant progress in Ethiopia in the reduction of maternal death from 953 to 267 per 100,000 live births and the investment towards primary health care, including the health extension program.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, the Ambassador also mentioned Ethiopia’s membership in the Global Leaders Network, a Global South-led global health diplomacy initiative to support the attainment of the 2030 SDGs related to women, children, and adolescents. He emphasized Ethiopia’s high-level representation by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in the Global Leaders Network, which demonstrates the country’s strong commitment to accelerating progress to meet the SDG targets and drive concerted efforts globally and regionally.

PMNCH Executive Director Rajat apprec
iated Ethiopia’s continued engagement, including the successful conduct of a high-level dialogue on “The Power of the Health Workforce to Accelerate the Reduction of Maternal, Newborn, and Child Mortality and Foster Thriving Societies,” in which Mekdes Daba, Minister of Health-Ethiopia, was a panelist.

It was agreed to strengthen the collaboration to maintain the political momentum, sustained investment, and multi-staged advocacy to accelerate efforts to reduce maternal, neonatal, and child mortality.