BEIJING, May 8 (Xinhuanet) -- The Maternal mortality rates for sub Saharan Africa are extremely high at about 1,000 deaths per 100,000 live births in the past 10 years due to lack of medical facilities, according to a World Health Organization expert Thursday.

    WHO director for Africa Luis Sambo said large number of women dying while giving birth has still not improved in Africa over the past decade.

    According to the WHO, some 1,500 women die daily from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth on the continent because they have no access to skilled emergency care.

    African health experts Wednesday called for innovative strategies to bring down mortality rates within the framework of access to health care for better maternal, neonatal and infant health.

    They also recommended greater surveillance of traditional medicine and taboos, which have a negative impact on maternal, neonatal and infant health.

    Ministers of health from African Union's 53 member states are meeting in a two-day meeting in Ethiopia to seek ways to slash maternal and infant deaths.

    (Agencies)