YAOUNDE, Cameroon (BG) — Cameroon is set to launch a five-year national strategy to improve maternal health and reduce one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the region, the African Center for Disease Control (Africa CDC) said in a statement on Sunday.

In 2020, an estimated 438 women per 100,000 live births died from pregnancy-related complications, according to the World Bank.

While maternal mortality declined to 406 per 100,000 live births in 2022, progress has been slow.

Limited access to quality reproductive healthcare, high adolescent pregnancy rates, and nutrition gaps continue to threaten maternal and newborn health.

To address these challenges, the Central African country will roll out its National Strategy on Reproductive, Maternal, Child, Adolescent, and Nutrition Health (RMNCAH-Nut) on March 13, 2025.

Developed with support from Africa CDC, the 2025-2030 plan aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 on health and well-being.

It focuses on strengthening maternal healthcare services, improving data collection, and enhancing policy implementation.

Ahead of the launch, a technical validation workshop brought together 33 experts, including Cameroon’s Ministry of Health representatives, to refine the strategy.

“Cameroon is among the first to finalize its strategy, and this will serve as a model for other African nations,” said Fidel Gabo, Head of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health at Africa CDC.

The plan builds on continental efforts to strengthen reproductive health policies. Cameroon and Lesotho were among the first countries selected for technical and financial support to align national strategies with the African Union’s five-year reproductive health framework (2022-2026).

To ensure accessibility, 1,500 copies of the strategy have been translated into English and will be distributed nationwide.

The launch marks the start of a broader effort to mobilize resources and integrate reproductive health services into Cameroon’s primary healthcare system.