Government says remarkable improvements have been made in addressing Maternal and Child Mortality and other health problems facing the country.

Chief Government spokesperson Joseph Katema says government has dedicated 9.9 percent of the 2014 national budget to the health sector in order to ensure delivery of quality health care in the country.

He however said despite the reduction of maternal and child deaths, the rate of decline is not adequate to meet the MDGs targets and cited malnutrition in children as a major challenge that requires to be tackled.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says it is pleased that Zambia has shown commitment towards achieving Health related Millenium Development Goals (MDGs).

WHO Country Representative Olusegun Babaniyi says the commitment is manifested in measures that the Zambian government has put in place to improve health service delivery.

Dr Babaniyi cited the creation of the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health as one positive stride in improving maternal and child health.

ZANIS reports that the WHO Country Representative said this during an orientation workshop of Members of Parliament on Health related MDGs at Chamenuka Lodge , in Lusaka today.

He also said the expansion of existing health facilities and construction of Health Centers in rural areas as well as various strategies meant to scale up interventions on maternal and child health are indications of Zambia’s possibility to attain the Health related MDGs.

And Minister of information and Broadcasting Services, Dr Joseph Katema said remarkable improvements have been made in addressing Maternal and Child Mortality and other health problems.

Dr Katema , who is also government spokesperson, said government has dedicated 9.9 percent of the 2014 national budget to the health sector in order to ensure delivery of quality health care in the country.

He however said despite the reduction of maternal and child deaths, the rate of decline is not adequate to meet the MDGs targets and cited malnutrition in children as a major challenge that requires to be tackled.