Vice President Mutale Nalumango has officially launched the Africa Continental Framework for Strengthening Mortality Surveillance in Zambia today.
The launch was conducted during an expert high level meeting held by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with Africa CDC at Bonanza Resort, Chongwe District today.
The aim of the meeting was to guide member states on the planning and implementation of their mortality surveillance in order to fast track the availability of good quality and timely mortality data for public health decisions as well as to strengthen death registration across the African continent.
110 international delegates and 5 foreign Ministers of Health were invited to be part of the meeting.
Speaking during the event, Mrs. Nalumango said there is need for African leaders to make bold decisions in allocating the necessary resources (both human and financial) to attain the establishment and operationalization of mortality surveillance in our respective countries
Mrs. Nalumango said the achievement of this vision will provide us with disparities in disease burden across geographical and demographic groups.
She stressed the need to go beyond the emergency response mode and build mortality surveillance systems that meet the goals aligned with country priorities and international or regional standards.
She further stated that there is need to use rapid mortality surveillance as a solid platform upon which countries can build a universal and responsive death registration system.
The Vice President called upon organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), among others, to support the African continent with resources inclusive of technical support.
She urged the African Union, Africa freedom CDC, AU member states and development partners to commit to implementing the actions and resolutions agreed upon in order to achieve the continental health security and healthy living for the people of Africa.
And Chongwe Mayor Christopher Habeenzu was present to welcome the delegates to Chongwe District.
He thanked the hosts for selecting Chongwe as the venue to finalize and launch this project.
Lisa Ng’oma
Public Relations Manager
Chongwe Municipal Council