The majority of African countries are unlikely to meet health-related Millennium Development Goals by 2015, according to the World Health Organization, which recently concluded its 61st regional meeting in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast.
Only seven African countries are currently on track to meet the fourth MDG on reducing child mortality by 2015, while only two countries are on track to achieve the fifth MDG on maternal mortality, The Nation says, citing an executive summary released by WHO at its regional meeting.
“This situation stems from low level of implementation of effective interventions, weak health systems and limited progress in addressing the broader social and environmental determinants of health,” the summary says, according to The Nation.
Luis Sambo, WHO’s regional director for Africa, urged countries in the region to “pursue dynamic policies to push toward the MDGs.” Sambo also stressed the need to ensure the sustainability of health projects in the region.
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