Pakistan Among 4 Countries Accounting for Half of Global Maternal Deaths: UN Report
UN agencies, including UNICEF, are urging the world to urgently invest in midwives, nurses, and community health workers
A recent United Nations report has revealed that Pakistan, along with Nigeria, India, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), accounted for nearly half of the estimated 260,000 global maternal deaths in 2023.
Pakistan alone contributed approximately 11,000 maternal deaths, representing about 4.1% of the global total.
The trends in maternal mortality report was published by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the UN sexual and reproductive health agency UNFPA, in observance of World Health Day on 7 April.
The report highlights that despite a 40% decline in maternal deaths globally since 2000, the pace of improvement has slowed significantly since 2016.
Funding cuts and disruptions in healthcare services, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, have contributed to these challenges. The pandemic resulted in an estimated 40,000 additional maternal deaths in 2021.
UN agencies, including UNICEF, are urging the world to urgently invest in midwives, nurses, and community health workers to ensure every mother and baby has a chance to survive. Strengthening health systems, improving access to education, and addressing underlying health conditions are also critical steps to reduce maternal mortality.
The report emphasizes that nearly two-thirds of maternal deaths occur in fragile and conflict-affected settings, underscoring the need for targeted interventions in these areas.
The global community is being called upon to prioritize maternal health to prevent unnecessary deaths and ensure equitable access to quality healthcare for all.
