First Ladies Vision 2010 initiative meeting gets under way
Wednesday 2nd April 2008

By Sarata Jabbi-Dibba

The sixth annual regional meeting of the Vision 2010 initiative of the First Ladies on reduction of maternal, neonatal mortality and morbidity in West and Central Africa opened yesterday at the Sheraton Hotel in Brufut.

Deputising for the First Lady Madame Zeinab Yahya Jammeh, the Vice President and Secretary of State for Women’s Affairs, Aja Isatou Njie-Saidy said since its inception in 2001, the initiative had translated the Bamako declaration into a reality.

According to her, the initiative was launched in 2001 in Bamako under the auspices of the UNICEF Regional office for West and Central Africa and the Government of Mali.

Since then, she added, the First Ladies have not failed in their drive and resolve to translate the Bamako declaration into reality.

“Their commitment to both the Declaration and the resultant Vision 2010 is predicated on the need and urgency to fight, reduce, and perhaps even eliminate maternal and new-born mortality, and morbidity problems in their countries through concerted efforts,” she said.

She added: “It is already well documented that childbirth and pregnancy related complications are the leading causes of death among women and girls in developing countries. And we should consider this a cause for deep reflection and worry, especially given the emergence of disturbing statistics on the subject.”

According to the published estimates by the World Health Organisation, at least 529,000 women die each year globally from pregnancy and childbirth related complications.

The Vice President noted that these estimates also reveal that between 15 and 20 percent of childbirths in West and Central Africa involve girls of adolescent ages 10 to 19 years. She added that for every maternal death, 20-30 women end up in one form of permanent disabilities or the other, or suffer long term illnesses that leave them miserable for the rest of their lives.

Still on the emerging statistics of the WHO, VP Njie Saidy pointed out that four million babies die each year from avoidable causes.

She noted that 96 per cent of which occurs in developing countries, two-thirds of newborn deaths occur during the first week of life and usually during the first 24 hours of life.

The theme for this sixth Regional meeting is “Best practices for community care of mothers and new-borns” The foundations, Operation Give-Blood and Save lives continue to gain the recognition of all as one solid way to developing partnerships at all levels.

VP Njie Saidy finally said that they rely on their own efforts and commitment to mobilize resources and found important health projects through fund raising activities.

For his part, the Secretary of State for Health Dr. Malick Njie described the meeting as historic, as it serves as a forum for articulating a comprehensive approach to reproductive health issues, particularly maternal and neonatal health issues in the sub region.

“I am proud to tell this august gathering that The Gambia recognises the efforts of the Vision 2010 committee in general and that of the first ladies in particular”.

This, he said, has been demonstrated through strong political commitment from the government of The Gambia through his Excellency the President of the Republic of the Gambia, Dr Alhagie Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh by providing free maternal and child health services to all Gambians. “Although the task of this august assembly is enormous, I believe that with high commitment and motivation as demonstrated, significant progress and positive way forward would emerge at the end of the meeting,” he said.