Despite the international commitment, maternal mortality remains somewhat unchanged globally.
In settings with less commitment, maternal death inquiry can serve as a tool in advocating for improved services and demanding increased accountability of the system.
Dr. Zuzanna Beranova from the European Union emphasized the EU's commitment to maternal and child as demonstrated through the Programme for Accelerating the reducation of Maternal and Child Mortality in Namibia (PARMaCM).
The deficit and debt pledges overshadowed other achievements: a $5 billion financing commitment for maternal health, a pledge to end subsidies for fossil fuels, and tough language on new bank capital standards that are to be completed later this year.
"This is a country that has a very strong commitment to maternal and child health," he adds.
A sustained commitment to maternal health issues in Nigeria is vital to the attainment of Millennium Development Goal 5 globally.
"Before we go out asking for donors' assistance, we need to recast our national budget to reflect our commitment on maternal, newborn and child health," she said.
"Today, the G8 countries have renewed their commitment to maternal and child health, and we must all hold ourselves accountable for achieving greater progress on this critical challenge".
By Geoffrey Njoku ABUJA, Nigeria, 4 December 2008 – Nigerian First Lady Hajia Turai Yar'Adua has pledged her commitment to maternal mortality reduction in Nigeria.
