Implementation of the Commission on Information and Accountability (COIA) on maternal and child health
Lesotho has adopted the work of the Commission on Information and Accountability for Women‟s and Children‟s Health which was built on the fundamental human right of every woman and child to the highest attainable standard of health and on the critical importance of achieving equity in health. All accountability mechanisms should be effective, transparent and inclusive of all stakeholders. Lesotho is one of the African Countries that are off track in addressing the Millennium Development Goal on maternal and child health.
The Ministry of Health DHS 2009, estimated maternal mortality at 1155 in every 100,000 live births. In this regard, the Ministry of Health, with technical and financial support from WHO, embarked on implementation of COIA. Lesotho Parliament Social Cluster Portfolio Committee and the Senate AD HOC Committee on MDGs were trained on issues related to maternal and child health. The same workshop was held for the Lesotho Media Houses, a week later.
The two groups of the Social Cluster Portfolio Committee and the AD HOC Committee on MDGs made a resolution to have a press conference, where they declared their commitment in working with the Ministry of Health and the other stakeholders to educate the nation on issues pertaining to maternal and child health. The spokesperson of the two groups said “It is not acceptable that the mothers of Basotho Nation can die in such large numbers. Lets join hands to fight this monster that devours our wives and children”
The media houses in Lesotho also made a commitment to visit the hard to reach areas in order to get the news about the incidences of maternal deaths as a way of informing the nation about the effects of various factors that contribute to such deaths.
