Global Efforts Intensify to Accelerate Progress on Maternal and Child Health Targets

Reducing maternal mortality (SDG 3.1) and child mortality (SDG 3.2) is an area where progress is falling short of target, with just six years remaining to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).As a result, Member States acknowledged the WHO Director General's report on Acceleration towards the Sustainable Development Goal targets for maternal health and child mortality at the 154th Executive Board (EB) meeting of the World Health Organization, which was held from January 22-27, 2024.The research points out that by 2030, 46 countries are expected to have a ratio of more than 140 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, which is more than double the threshold established by goal 3.1.By 2030, 63 nations will not have met the objective for neonatal mortality, and 54 will not have met the target for under-5 mortality.In response, Somalia has proposed a resolution to the World Health Assembly to identify gaps and reach a consensus on the need of expanding the coverage of critical treatments in order to save the lives of expectant mothers, infants, and children.Following four rounds of informal consultations, the current draft decision on Accelerate progress towards reducing maternal, newborn, and child mortality in order to achieve Sustainable Development Goal targets 3.1 and 3.2-co-sponsored by Egypt, Ethiopia, Paraguay, Somalia, South Africa, and the United Republic of Tanzania-was brought up for discussion at the WHO 154th EB.Member states spoke out at the EB meeting over the report's substance and the draft decision that Somalia and the other sponsors had submitted.The session that was