IRIN: Need to focus on maternal, child health - top AU official
4 FEBRUARY 2009 | ADDIS ABABA
4 FEBRUARY 2009 | ADDIS ABABA (Ethiopia) (Irin news) - Countries in Africa should promote maternal, infant and child health and report on progress, in order to curb high deaths rates on the continent, a senior African Union (AU) official has said.
"There are continents where women give birth and it is a pleasant experience because they are bringing life," said AU Commissioner for Social Affairs Biencé Gawana. "In our continent, unfortunately, that is not always the case. Women also bring death to themselves and their children."