Ending Preventable Maternal Mortality: A Global Health Priority
Maternal mortality remains one of the greatest public health challenges in many parts of the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 287,000 women died during and following pregnancy and childbirth in 2020. What’s striking is that most of these deaths were preventable.
Ending preventable maternal mortality (EPMM) is not just about reducing numbers—it’s about ensuring women everywhere have access to respectful, timely, and high-quality healthcare. In this article, we explore the causes of maternal mortality, the key strategies to prevent it, and what governments, health systems, and individuals can do to create lasting change.
What Is Maternal Mortality?
Maternal mortality refers to deaths due to complications from pregnancy or childbirth occurring during pregnancy, delivery, or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy. These complications can include excessive bleeding, infections, high blood pressure, unsafe abortion, and delivery complications.
Most maternal deaths occur in low-resource settings and are closely linked to poverty, lack of access to healthcare, and weak health systems.
Major Causes of Preventable Maternal Deaths
The majority of maternal deaths are caused by conditions that are treatable or avoidable. These include:
- Postpartum haemorrhage: Severe bleeding after childbirth
- Infections: Particularly after delivery due to unhygienic practices
- Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia: High blood pressure-related conditions
- Unsafe abortions: Leading cause in countries where abortion is restricted
- Obstructed labour: When the baby cannot pass through the birth canal
Where Maternal Mortality Is Most Prevalent
Over 95% of maternal deaths occur in low and middle-income countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Countries with the highest maternal mortality ratios (MMRs) include Nigeria, India, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Pakistan.
The situation is also alarming among marginalised populations in developed nations. For example, in the United States, Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women.
Key Strategies to End Preventable Maternal Mortality
Ending preventable maternal deaths requires a multifaceted approach involving healthcare systems, policy reforms, education, and social support systems. Below are some of the most effective strategies:
1. Improve Access to Skilled Birth Attendants
Trained midwives, nurses, and doctors should be present at every delivery. Skilled care during childbirth significantly reduces the risk of death for both mother and baby.
2. Invest in Emergency Obstetric Care
Facilities must be equipped to handle complications such as haemorrhage, eclampsia, or obstructed labour. Ambulance services and timely referral systems are crucial.
3. Expand Antenatal and Postnatal Care
Women need at least four quality antenatal visits, as recommended by WHO. Regular monitoring can detect potential complications early, and postnatal check-ups ensure recovery and early detection of infections.
4. Provide Family Planning Services
Empowering women with access to contraception and reproductive choices reduces unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions, thus lowering maternal mortality risks.
5. Legal and Safe Abortion Access
Where abortion is illegal or inaccessible, unsafe procedures are a major cause of maternal death. Safe abortion services and post-abortion care must be made available where legal.
6. Strengthen Health Systems
This includes training health workers, improving infrastructure, ensuring essential medicine availability, and implementing data collection systems to track maternal health outcomes.
7. Address Social Determinants of Health
Poverty, education, and gender inequality directly affect maternal health. Holistic interventions are required to tackle these root causes.
Global Initiatives Aimed at Ending Maternal Mortality
Every Woman Every Child (EWEC)
Launched by the UN, EWEC is a global movement to mobilise action for improving health outcomes for women, children, and adolescents. It supports countries in implementing the Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health.
Ending Preventable Maternal Mortality (EPMM) Initiative by WHO
This initiative focuses on reducing the global MMR to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH)
PMNCH brings together governments, NGOs, UN agencies, and private sectors to coordinate and advocate for better maternal and child health.
Technological Innovations Supporting Maternal Health
Innovation is playing a growing role in maternal care, particularly in low-resource areas. Examples include:
- Mobile health apps: For tracking pregnancies and delivering health education
- Telemedicine: Connecting remote areas to qualified medical professionals
- Portable ultrasound devices: Providing diagnostic support where facilities are lacking
- Drones for medicine delivery: Used in countries like Rwanda to distribute emergency medical supplies
Challenges to Overcome
Despite progress, several barriers persist:
- Underfunded health systems: Many countries lack the budget to implement necessary reforms
- Stigma and cultural barriers: Beliefs surrounding childbirth can prevent women from seeking help
- Lack of political will: Policy change is often slow and under-prioritised
- Workforce shortages: A global shortage of skilled health workers hampers progress
How Individuals and Communities Can Help
Reducing maternal deaths isn’t only the responsibility of governments and NGOs. Here's what individuals and local communities can do:
- Support women’s access to antenatal care and health education
- Encourage early registration of pregnancy
- Ensure transport arrangements to health facilities in emergencies
- Combat myths and misinformation related to pregnancy and childbirth
- Advocate for better maternal care at community or policy level
Internal Links for Further Reading
- Every Woman Every Child’s Global Health Movement
- Why Reproductive Rights Are Important
- Diet Recommendations During Breastfeeding
- Explore More Maternal Health Topics
FAQs About Preventable Maternal Mortality
What is considered a preventable maternal death?
Any maternal death that could have been avoided with timely and adequate medical care, clean delivery practices, or access to emergency services.
Why do so many maternal deaths occur in low-income countries?
Due to lack of skilled birth attendants, limited health facilities, poverty, poor nutrition, and inadequate prenatal care.
What role does family planning play in reducing maternal mortality?
It helps prevent high-risk pregnancies, reduces unplanned pregnancies, and gives women control over timing and spacing of births.
Can technology really make a difference in maternal health?
Yes, especially in remote areas. Mobile health tools, telemedicine, and AI can bridge gaps in access and diagnosis.
How can I support this cause as an individual?
Raise awareness, support organisations working in maternal health, educate your community, and advocate for improved healthcare policies.