Lusaka Province has recorded a reduction in maternal deaths from 180 in 2024 to 156 in 2025.
Lusaka Province Health Director, Simulyamana Choonga has attributed the reduction to team work, strengthened systems and partner support.
He was speaking in Lusaka during a high-level meeting for the 2022 to 2026 Accelerating Measurable Progress and Leveraging Investments for Postpartum Haemorrhage Impact (AMPLI-PPHI) project, an initiative led by Jhpiego (pronounced; Jar-Pie-Go).
Dr Choonga further revealed that neonatal deaths have also reduced from 1,363 in 2024 to 1,226 in 2025.
And Dr Choonga said the provincial strategy of handling postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) cases will be aligned with updated World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines adding that the evidence signifying effectiveness of WHO-recommended PPH interventions was convincing.
The Provincial Health Director also disclosed that under the initiative, maternal health services at 27 health facilities in Chongwe, Kafue, Lusaka and Chilanga districts have been strengthened.
Dr Choonga said the government desires to rollout the initiative to Rufunsa and Luangwa districts.
“The evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of WHO-recommended PPH interventions is compelling. Lusaka Province is eager to scale these innovations to all remaining districts, ensuring no woman is left behind in life-saving maternal health interventions,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jhpiego Country Director Costatine Malama thanked the government for providing leadership in the implementation of the AMPLI-PPHI project.
Dr Malama reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment towards supporting government in tackling maternal mortality.
