As the world marks World Health Day 2025 with the theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,” a new report has revealed that Africa still accounts for 70 percent of global maternal deaths, despite a 40 percent drop in deaths between 2000 and 2023.
The report was released by the United Nations Maternal Mortality Estimation Interagency Group. It shows that although there has been progress in reducing the number of women dying during pregnancy or childbirth, the pace is still too slow to meet global goals.
According to the report, maternal deaths in Africa reduced from 727 to 442 per 100,000 live births between 2000 and 2023. But to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of fewer than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030, African countries need to speed up their efforts by 12 times.
“At the current annual reduction rate of just 2.2 percent, projections indicate nearly 350 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in the region by 2030 — five times the SDG target,” the report stated.
There is also concern about newborns in Africa. Though the rates of stillbirth and newborn deaths have reduced by 30 and 33 percent since 2000, sub-Saharan Africa still records 47 percent of all global stillbirths and 46 percent of all newborn deaths.
If the current trend continues, the region may end up with a newborn death rate that is almost double the SDG target of 12 deaths per 1,000 live births by 2030.
The Acting Regional Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) for Africa, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, said: “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 report listed key problems facing African countries. These include low funding for healthcare, lack of trained health workers, poor governance, and crises like wars and disease outbreaks. These challenges mostly affect people living in rural or troubled areas.
Most of the maternal deaths are caused by issues that can be treated, such as heavy bleeding, high blood pressure, infections, unsafe abortions, and childbirth complications. For newborns, the main causes are premature birth, infections, birth complications, and birth defects.
The WHO said it is working closely with African governments by offering updated care guidelines, better emergency services, and helping to train more skilled birth attendants.
In 2010, only 28 percent of births in the region were attended by trained health workers. Today, over 60 percent of countries report that more than 80 percent of births are now attended by professionals.
Still, many women in rural and crisis-hit areas cannot access proper care, which puts them and their babies at risk.
World Health Day 2025 begins a year-long campaign to gather support and investment in maternal and newborn health. WHO says it wants to ensure that no woman dies while giving birth and that every child has a fair chance to live and grow.
