Kampala — AFRICAN countries have been urged to invest in primary and reproductive health care to control the high maternal and infant mortality rates on the continent.

The health minister, Stephen Mallinga, said African leaders needed to emulate other developing countries like Thailand, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, which have lowered their rates through sustained funding and political commitment.

"One of the greatest challenges we face in our countries is poor health, particularly for women and children, a challenge that must be fought on multiple fronts," Mallinga said.

The minister was on Tuesday opening a three-day regional meeting for parliamentary committees on health in Eastern and Southern Africa at Speke Resort Hotel, Munyonyo.

"Redressing inequality in health must be a core concern for African countries. We need to keep our eyes on the important role that reproductive health plays in the development of our continent," he said.

He said the poor were more vulnerable to diseases because of bad nutrition, poor accommodation and lack of clean water.

"Sri-Lanka's long-term commitment to safe motherhood services has over the years reduced maternal mortality more than twenty-fold," Mallinga added.

The meeting was assessing the health situation in East and Central Africa, in relation to the regional goals and international health frameworks.

"We need the governments and donors to allocate sufficient resources to support healthy equity concerning women," Mallinga said.

Delegations from 18 countries East and Central Africa, including Botswana, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya Zambia, Angola and Burundi, attended.