Ethiopia is actively working to improve maternal and child health services through a comprehensive approach that includes targeted interventions, policy reforms, and strong partnerships with development organizations. Recognizing that maternal and child health is fundamental to national development, the Ethiopian government is prioritizing the healthcare sector with a focus on expanding access to quality prenatal, delivery, and postnatal care to address the complex challenges in this area
Mainly, by giving due attention to underserved and rural communities, to ensure that no mother or child is left behind, it is undertaking wide-ranging activities to achieve maternal and child health goals, in alignment with global targets such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
As part of this effort and in alignment with global health targets, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), over the years, the country has implemented key measures aimed at realizing its maternal and child health objectives.
These include the expansion of health infrastructure, the training and deployment of health professionals, and the mobilization of community health workers to reach remote and underserved populations. This network of health workers plays a vital role in delivering care to areas that were once difficult to access. Efforts have also been made to enhance health education, promote safe motherhood practices, and reduce preventable maternal and child deaths through public awareness campaigns.
As a result of these sustained actions, the country has seen promising improvements in healthcare access and outcomes. As Ethiopia continues on this path, it is witnessing positive changes, ensuring that more women and children receive the essential care they need. Ultimately, these efforts contribute to better health outcomes and serve as a foundation for sustainable development throughout the country.
The recently launched initiative in Al Ain City, Abu Dhabi and dubbed as, “Beginning Fund” is a groundbreaking step forward in supporting the goals set second Health Sector Transformation Plan and Ethiopia’s 2026 maternal and child health target.
The Beginning Fund,” a visionary initiative meticulously designed to improve maternal and newborn health services across sub-Saharan Africa, is poised to work in close collaboration with African governments to achieve the ambitious goal of saving an estimated 300,000 newborn lives and providing comprehensive, high-quality medical care to approximately 34 million mothers and children by the year 2030, it was announced at the launch event. This bold undertaking underscores the collective commitment of various stakeholders to addressing the persistent challenges that plague maternal and child health outcomes in the region.
At the event, Ethiopia’s Health Minister Mekdes Daba (MD) highlighted the significant progress the country has made in improving maternal, newborn, and child health outcomes over the past two decades. She also emphasized that, despite these advancements, considerable efforts are still required to achieve Ethiopia’s ambitious health goals.
Minister Mekdes Daba (MD) said that over the past two decades, Ethiopia has made remarkable progress in terms of reducing maternal, infant, and under-five mortality rates, attributing this success to a concerted effort involving government agencies, healthcare providers, and international partners. Specifically, she noted that the maternal mortality rate, which stood at a staggering 871 per 100,000 live births in the year 2000, has been dramatically reduced to 195, she said, citing the most recent estimates provided by the United Nations.
Similarly, infant mortality has reduced from 39 per 1,000 live births to 26, while under-five mortality has declined from 123 to 47 per 1,000 live births, representing significant gains in child survival rates. However, substantial efforts are still needed, with a special focus on realizing the set health development targets in a sustainable manner.
Despite these encouraging trends, Makdes cautioned against complacency, emphasizing the need for continued and intensified efforts to achieve the ambitious health development goals outlined in Ethiopia’s national health strategy. She underscored the critical role that initiatives such as “The Beginning Fund” will play significant role in accelerating progress towards these goals, particularly in the goals outlined at the Second Health Sector Transformation Plan and Ethiopia’s ambitious 2026 maternal and child health targets.
“The Beginning Fund” is supported by the generous support of a consortium of prominent humanitarian organizations, including the Mohamed bin Zayed Humanitarian Organization, the ElMA Foundation, SIF, the Gates Foundation and other philanthropic organizations, signifying a united front in addressing the challenges of maternal and child health in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The initiative is expected to have a particularly significant impact on several countries in the region, including Ethiopia, Malawi, Tanzania, Zanzibar, and Rwanda, where maternal and child health challenges remain a pressing concern.
The official launch ceremony, a momentous occasion, was held at the prestigious Kanad Hospital in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, and was graced by the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, the President of Abu Dhabi, signifying the high level of persistence and support for this critical initiative.
Ethiopia’s unwavering commitment to improving maternal and child health is demonstrated through its comprehensive strategy that combines initiatives, strategic partnerships, and sustained investments. By improving healthcare infrastructure, expanding access to essential services, training health professionals, and addressing social determinants such as poverty, malnutrition, and lack of education, the country is laying a strong foundation for reducing maternal and child mortality and paving the way to a healthier future.
Thus far, Ethiopia has registered promising progress in improving maternal and child health outcomes, with a growing trend of mothers visiting health facilities, and an increase use of antenatal care services and deliveries attended by skilled birth professionals in health facilities, contributing to better outcomes for both mothers and newborns.
However, considerable challenges remain that require continued attention and action. Challenges such as inadequate access to quality healthcare, shortages of skilled health workers, and underlying social determinants like poverty and malnutrition continue to slow its advancement toward realizing maternal and child health targets.
In this regard, the launch of “The Beginning Fund” marks a significant milestone, symbolizing a renewed commitment to addressing these obstacles through collaborative efforts, innovative approaches, and long-term support. This initiative not only strengthens existing efforts but also brings renewed hope for accelerating progress toward ambitious maternal and child health targets.
BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 13 MAY 2025
