Lusaka, Zambia  - Zambia on Monday reported a drop in its maternal mortality rate from 729 per 100,000 live births in 2001 to 449 in 2007.

Health Minister Brian Chituwo said in the figures contained in the Zambia Demographic and Health Survey provided evidence of good health service delivery.

The survey also showed a decrease in the infant mortality rate from 95 to 70 per 1,000 live births, while the under five mortality ratio declined from 168 to 119 per 1,000 live births.

"Zambia's health indicators is a just cause for celebration but I caution against complacency to the need, not only to sustain these developments but further improve upon them," Chituwo said in Lusaka. (dpa)