Government has adopted primary health care as the main vehicle of its service delivery towards reducing maternal deaths.
Central Province Deputy Permanent Secretary Felix Mangwato said government aims at reducing maternal mortality ratio to less than 100 from 398 per 100, 000 live births.
Speaking during the provincial maternal death surveillance and review meeting in Kapiri Mposhi, Mr. Mangwato said the number of women dying from pregnancy related conditions is unacceptably high.
He said in 2017, 95 women died from pregnancy related conditions while 70 mothers died this year.
The Deputy Permanent Secretary said there is need for concerted efforts to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths and the fight should therefore not be restricted to the Ministry of Health alone.
Mr. Mangwato explained that in its current strategic plan running from 2017 to 2021, the Ministry of Health has set targets to further reduce maternal mortality ratios to below 100 per 100,000 births.
And Central Province Health Director Charles Msiska said the policy of government is to ensure that no one dies when giving life.
Dr. Msiska said traditional leaders are an integral part in fighting maternal mortality rates.
He said his office wants to come up with interventions to ensure no one dies during or after child delivery.
Meanwhile Chief Chibale of the Lala people of Serenje district has called for inclusiveness in reducing the mortality rate to zero.
