Islamabad (Agencies): Pakistan has been listed among four nations that accounted for nearly half of the estimated 260,000 maternal deaths worldwide in 2023, according to a United Nations report released on Monday. Nigeria, India, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are the other countries identified in the report, which raises alarms about the devastating impact of aid funding cuts by the United States and the United Kingdom.
The UN report, titled Trends in Maternal Mortality, was jointly published by UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), and UNFPA in commemoration of World Health Day. It highlights maternal deaths due to complications during pregnancy or childbirth. Among the four nations, Nigeria recorded the highest number, with approximately 75,000 maternal deaths, accounting for 28.7% of the global total in 2023.
India and DRC tied at 19,000 maternal deaths each, representing 7.2% of the global figures. Pakistan recorded 11,000 maternal deaths, contributing to 4.1% of the worldwide toll. Collectively, these nations accounted for 47% of all maternal deaths globally in 2023.
The report warns that cuts to vital aid funding are jeopardizing progress in reducing maternal deaths. It notes that maternal mortality has declined by 40% between 2000 and 2023, largely due to improved access to essential health services. However, the rollback of maternal, newborn, and child health services threatens to reverse these achievements, particularly in humanitarian and fragile settings where risks are already high.
UN leaders, including WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, emphasized the importance of strengthening maternity care systems and ensuring access to quality health services to prevent avoidable maternal deaths. Dr. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of UNFPA, called for urgent investments in midwifery and health worker training to safeguard maternal health.
The report also underscores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted maternity services globally. Maternal deaths rose significantly during the pandemic, highlighting the importance of sustaining healthcare systems during emergencies.
While maternal mortality has declined overall, the report reveals persistent inequalities between regions and countries, with sub-Saharan Africa bearing 70% of the global burden in 2023. Efforts to enhance women’s health, improve family planning access, and tackle underlying conditions like anemia and malaria are crucial to reducing maternal deaths further.
The UN agencies are calling for immediate action to prevent maternal deaths and ensure every mother and baby can survive and thrive. Their appeal focuses on building resilient health systems and addressing disparities to protect the lives of women and newborns around the world.