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BEIJING, Aug. 18-- China's experiences and practices in reducing maternal, newborn and under-five mortality rates are "valuable to share with Africa through South-South Cooperation," said UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Shahida Azfar in an interview with Xinhua. Azfar, who was attending a session themed "China-Africa Cooperation in Maternal and Newborn Health" in Beijing on Friday, appreciated China's political commitment and strong policies, which brought about "tremendous progress" in the country's maternal and child health improvement. Such experiences are regarded as an immense opportunity to save mothers and children in sub-Saharan Africa, which accounts for 38 percent of global neonatal deaths. Moreover, it bears almost 40 percent of the global burden of neonatal deaths, and the proportion of maternal deaths increased to 66 percent in 2017 from 42 percent in 1990, despite a downward trend of maternal and neonatal deaths worldwide. Azfar said that African countries had made progress but could learn more from China's experiences. "China's efforts can help give importance to these issues," she said. China's maternal mortality rate dropped from 89 per 100,000 in 1990 to 19.6 per 100,000 in 2017. Its infant and under-five mortality rate were 6.8 per thousand and 9.1 per thousand in 2017, in comparison with 50.2 per thousand and 61.0 per thousand in 1991 respectively. For Azfar, the dramatic drops in figures were closely connected to the "availability of resources and trained manpower," which have benefited a broader group of people, including those who are disadvantaged. | 
