.Kalumbi

By REBECCA MUSHOTA –

MATERNAL and child mortality rates have drastically declined, the Central Statistical Office (CSO) has revealed in the 2013-2014 Demographic Health Survey (DHS).
The DHS reports that child mortality has declined between 2007 and 2013-2014 period.
Infant mortality has declined from 70 to 45 deaths per 1,000 live births. Under-five mortality declined from 119 to 75 deaths per 1,000 live births.
Maternal mortality ratio is now 398 deaths per 100,000 live births from 591 in 2007.
CSO Director of census and statistics John Kalumbi said during the launch of the 2013-14 DHS at Pamodzi Hotel yesterday that reduction of maternal mortality rates was partly because a higher population of
women are now giving birth in health facilities.
“More than two thirds which is 68 per cent of women delivered in a health facility, an increase from 48 per cent in 2007,” Mr Kalumbi said.
He said fertility rates had also declined from about six in 2007 to about five births per woman.
Another positive indicator was that HIV testing among adults had improved with 78 per cent of women being  tested in 2014 from 35 per cent in 2007 while 60 per cent of men tested last year compared to 20
per cent seven years ago.
The HIV prevalence has declined to 13.3 per cent of adults infected, translating into a one per cent reduction from 2007.
The CSO was now working on the 2015 living conditions survey.
Health Minister Joseph Kasonde said the declined mortality ratios were an important indicator that the health service delivery had improved and that Government was proud of the achievements.
“These successes make us optimistic that with continued hard work, Millennium Development Goals four and five targeting reducing child mortality and reducing maternal mortality are clearly within reach of attainment by 2015,” Dr Kasonde said.
Government had made investments in the health sector such as increasing human resource which was a key component in improving the healthcare system.
Dr Kasonde said Government was looking forward to a time when malaria and HIV/AIDS would be eradicated.
To further improve the health sector, Government was building 30 district hospitals and procured computerised tomography machines for nine general hospitals.
He urged stakeholders to use the DHS to find ways to better the lives of Zambians.
United States Government representative Ian Membe said Washington had contributed US$ 3 million towards the data collection exercise and that only well collected information made a difference in the lives of people.
United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund also contributed $150,000 towards the exercise.