Maternal deaths have declined worldwide over the past two decades and are down by more than a third due to affordable, quality health care services. Not all countries, however, have benefited from advancements in technology and care.

Each year about 303,000 women die from complications related to pregnancy or childbirth. Where a person lives shouldn’t determine if they die, yet almost all of the maternal deaths (99%) occur in developing countries.

The majority of maternal deaths, approximately 85% in 2017, occurred in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, especially in regions with low numbers of skilled health care workers. Sub-Saharan Africa alone accounted for roughly two-thirds of maternal deaths in the world.

The majority of maternal deaths, approximately 85% in 2017, occurred in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, especially in regions with low numbers of skilled health care workers. Sub-Saharan Africa alone accounted for roughly two-thirds of maternal deaths in the world.

  • Sub-Saharan Africa alone accounted for roughly two-thirds of maternal deaths in the world in 2017.
  • The likelihood of a woman dying of pregnancy-related causes is about 1 in 37 in Africa.
  • Women living in poverty are the least likely to receive adequate health care and experience maternal death.

The US-based non-profit organization and Global Citizen partner Pathfinder International promotes maternal health in more than 15 low- and middle-income countries in Africa and South Asia. Pathfinder works to ensure that women can access care at every stage of pregnancy, mobilize communities to identify pregnancy danger signs, provide every woman with access to health care and information, equip providers with training for safe pregnancy and childbirth, and prevent HIV transmission from mother to child.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is also improving maternal health by increasing research, providing clinical and programmatic guidance, setting global standards, and offering technical support to UN member states. The WHO is urging partners to address inequalities in access to quality reproductive, maternal, and newborn health care services and strengthen health systems while prioritizing women and girls.

Read the full article about maternal mortality in Sub-saharan Africa by Leah Rodriguez at Global Citizen.