The re-strengthened Campaign on Accelerated Reduction of Maternal, Mortality in Africa “CARMMA Plus 2021-2030” was virtually launched on November 28, 2022, under the slogan “Africa Cares: Better Reproductive Health for Women, Children and Adolescents by 2030”.The CARMMA Plus 2021-2030 builds on the first phase of the campaign CARMMA 2009 - 2019. The launch follows the adoption of the campaign’s roadmap and Accountability Partnership Framework (APF) by the 41st Ordinary Session of the Executive Council EX.CL/Dec.1169(XLI).
Over the years, CARMMA has made a significant contribution to improving Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) in Africa since its establishment in 2009, and through CARMMA Plus the African Union (AU) recommits to re-double efforts to improve Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) for accelerating progress towards sustained advocacy for key interventions and actions. CARMMA Plus will make a significant contribution to reducing maternal mortality, in linewith the Africa Health Strategy (2016-2030) and the revised Maputo Plan of Action (MPoA)(2016-2030) for the operationalization of the African Union Continental Policy FrameworkSexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR)for women and children with a specific focus on adolescent health.
The launch had participants drawn from the Member States Ministry of Health, AU recognized Regional economic communities (RECs), development partners, civil societies and the private sector. The main aim of the launch, organized on the margins of the CARMMA Week Commemorations, was to sensitize Member States and stakeholders on the agenda of CARMMA Plus and galvanize ownership and leadership. The commemorations further aim to showcase the progress made in the provision of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) at the national and community levelsto enforce accountability and sustain the campaign momentum.
Speaking during the launch H.E. Amb. Minata Samate Cessouma, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development reaffirmed the Commission’s commitmentto the next phase of the CARMMA campaign including the role of the Commission and stakeholders in accelerating the reduction of preventable maternal deaths by 2030. “I call for scaled-up investments in the integration of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health services to ensure that women, children and adolescents receive timely care according to their needs. Fundamentally focusing on strengthening primary health care systems by linking comprehensive quality RMNCAH with other services such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, TB and nutrition is paramount in fostering better health outcomes,” she said.
The CARMMA Plus intends to broaden and strengthen accountability partnerships for RMNCAH and enhance leadership and governance for RMNCAH policies and quality of services. In addition, the campaign seeks to improve Sexual and Reproductive Health outcomes for adolescents through increased access to information, and services and also strengthen knowledge management and learning systems.
The CARMMA Plus will further catalysethe Member States and RECs in the efforts to end preventable deaths, ensure health and well-being, and expand enabling environments for women, children and adolescents.
The pathway for re-strengthening the campaign 2021-2030 was informed by the recommendations from the evaluation of the first phase of the campaign conducted in 2019. The evaluation of the campaign was undertaken to determine the relevance, appropriateness, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability of the campaign. The evaluation revealed that Member States that embraced the campaign at the highest political levels made significant improvements in their MNCAH indicators.
The campaign will continue to utilize policy dialogue, advocacy and community mobilization to enlist political commitment and increase resources and societal change in support of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (MNCAH).
Further information should be directed to:
- Prof. Julio RAKOTONIRINA, Director of Health and Humanitarian Affairs Directorate; Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, AU Commission; Tel: +251 911210860 E-mail: JulioR@africa-union.org
For further media inquiries, please contact:
- Ms. Dorothy Njagi | Strategic Communication Expert, Directorate of Health and Humanitarian Affairs | Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, African Union Commission | Mobile: +251940559950 | E-mail: njagid@africa-union.org
- Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar | Senior Communication Officer | Information and Communications Directorate | E-mail: GamalK@africa-union.org
