From 2000 to 2023 the level of maternal mortality in the world decreased by 40%. But despite its achievements, progress has slowed down in many regions, and the reduction of global health financing is jeopardizing the lives of millions of women. This is stated in the new UN report "Trends of Maternal Mortality", published before the World Health Day on April 7.
Over two decades, the situation has improved significantly-women today have more likely to survive pregnancy and childbirth than ever. The main factor in positive dynamics has become better access to basic medical services in many countries.
However, since 2016, the pace of improvement has slowed down significantly. According to WHO, about 260,000 women died in the world in 2023 due to pregnancy or childbirth complications - one death every 2 minutes.
To achieve a global goal - a decrease in maternal mortality by 2030 - the current rate of change is insufficient. Today, the figure is reduced by only 1.5% per year, while dynamics are needed - at least 15% annually.
After 2015, only three regions of the world show a significant decrease in maternal mortality: Africa south of Sahara, Central and South Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
At the same time, in five regions, progress has almost stopped. It is about North Africa and Western Asia, East and Southeastern Asia, Oceania (without Australia and New Zealand), Europe and North America, Latin America and the Caribbean.
The situation remains especially critical in countries covered by war or humanitarian crises. Almost two -thirds of all maternal deaths are now in states such as Chad, the Central African Republic, Nigeria, Somalia and Afghanistan.
The UN warns that reducing global health financing complicates women's access to vital medical care. It is, in particular, the medicines to stop bleeding, treatment of preeclampsia, malaria and other critical remedies.
Executive Director UNICEF Catherine Russell stated that the world should immediately invest in midwives, nurses and health workers so that every mother and child should have a chance to survive.
WHO CEO Tedros Hebreessus added that in addition to access to obstetric care, it is necessary to guarantee the basic reproductive rights of women and girls, because they form the foundation of safe pregnancy.
The report also shows a global assessment of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on mothers' survival. In 2021, a pandemic died an additional 40,000 women-322 thousand against 282 thousand in 2020. The reasons are not only the direct impact of the coronavirus, but also the interruptions in medical institutions, especially in obstetrics and emergency systems.
The world has made significant progress in reducing maternal mortality, but this success may be temporary unless systemic measures are taken to protect women's health, especially in crisis regions.
The UN calls for urgent investments in medical infrastructure, experts and women's rights to save the lives of those who give life to others.
