The World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed that approximately 178,000 mothers and one million newborns lose their lives each year in the African region, with many of these deaths being preventable. This stark figure was highlighted in a release issued on Monday in recognition of World Health Day, observed every April 7.
This year’s World Health Day theme, “Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures,” underscores the urgent need to improve maternal and newborn health and survival. Despite notable progress in reducing maternal mortality, the African region still faces significant challenges, with current projections indicating that it will fall far short of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of fewer than 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030.
While maternal mortality in the region has dropped by 40%, from 727 to 442 deaths per 100,000 live births between 2000 and 2023, Africa still accounts for 70% of global maternal deaths. At the current rate of progress, the region is expected to have nearly 350 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030, five times the SDG target. Neonatal mortality, though it has seen a decline of 33%, remains disproportionately high in sub-Saharan Africa, which accounts for 46% of global newborn deaths.
WHO estimates that the region’s neonatal mortality rate will continue to be nearly double the SDG target of 12 deaths per 1,000 live births by 2030, unless urgent action is taken. Additionally, while stillbirths have decreased by 30% between 2000 and 2023, sub-Saharan Africa remains home to 47% of the world’s stillbirths.
Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, acting WHO Regional Director for Africa, emphasized the severity of the situation: “In too many places, pregnancy and childbirth are still life-threatening events. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Every dollar invested in maternal and newborn health delivers major returns: healthier families, stronger societies, and sustainable economic growth.”
The WHO attributes the high maternal and newborn mortality rates to a range of factors, including insufficient funding, weak governance, a shortage of skilled healthcare workers, and recurring crises such as disease outbreaks and conflicts. These challenges are particularly severe in fragile and crisis-affected areas, where access to quality health services remains limited.
The leading causes of maternal deaths in the region include haemorrhage, hypertensive disorders, infections, unsafe abortion, and obstructed labour. These are conditions that are largely preventable or treatable with timely and quality care. Among newborns, complications such as preterm births, sepsis, neonatal infections, and congenital anomalies are the most common causes of death.
The WHO has called on governments, donors, and communities to intensify efforts to reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths and to prioritize the long-term health of women and children. It also highlights the importance of improving the availability of skilled health personnel, expanding emergency obstetric care, and tackling the social and economic factors contributing to health inequities.
Encouragingly, over 60% of countries in the African region now report that more than 80% of births are attended by skilled health personnel, a significant improvement from 28% in 2010. However, disparities remain, particularly in rural and conflict-affected areas, where access to healthcare services continues to be a major challenge.
The WHO is working closely with countries across the region to implement maternal and newborn health acceleration plans, improve antenatal and postnatal care guidelines, and expand access to essential health services. If these efforts are scaled up and sustained, the dream of a healthier future for mothers and newborns in Africa could become a reality.
