Every two minutes a woman dies during her pregnancy or childbirthaccording to the latest estimates published in the Trends in maternal mortality‘ prepared by various departments United Nations.
“While pregnancy should be a time of great hope and a positive experience for all women, it is unfortunately still an incredibly difficult experience. dangerous for the millions of women around the world who lack access to quality care health with respect and quality,” said the Director-General of the World Health Organization. (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
In particular, work that monitored maternal mortality at the national, regional and global levels from 2000 to 2020 shows that per year 2020 happened 287 thousand maternal deaths around the world, which is a small reject regarding 309 thousand cases of maternal death registered in 2016 the year in which Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) United Nations.
However, two of the eight United Nations regions (Europe and North America and Latin America and the Caribbean) the maternal mortality rate increased between 2016 and 2020 by 17% and 15% respectively, while in other regions it stagnated.
“For millions of families, the miracle of childbirth is overshadowed by the tragedy of maternal death. No mother should fear for her life by bringing Baby around the world, especially when knowledge and tools are available to treat common complications. impartiality in health care means giving all mothers, regardless of their identity or place of residence, an equal chance of a safe birth and a healthy future with their family,” said the Executive Director UNICEF, Katherine Russell.
In absolute terms, maternal mortality still occurs mainly in poor areas around the world and in affected countries conflicts. In particular, in 2020 approximately 70% of all maternal deaths occurred in south of the sahara; And in nine countries in major humanitarian crises, maternal mortality “they doubled far” on average in the world (551 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births compared to 223 worldwide).
“This report is another strong reminder of the urgent need to redouble our commitment to the health of women and adolescent girls. Through immediate action, increased investment in primary health care, and stronger and more resilient health systems, we can save lives, improve health and well-being, and empower women and girls. teenagers, emphasized the world director for health, nutrition and population in The World Bank and Director of the Global Financing Facility Juan Pablo Uribe.
heavy bleeding, high blood pressure, infections associated with pregnancy, complications from unsafe abortions, and comorbidities that may worsen during pregnancy (eg, HIV/AIDS and malaria) are the main causes of maternal death.
Strengthen primary health care
In this sense, organizations have ensured that primary health care services can meet the needs of women, girls and adolescents and thus facilitate equitable access to essential services such as operative delivery, prenatal and postnatal care, vaccination children, food and Family planning.
However, they regretted that “underfunding” primary health care systems, shortage of professionals and “weakness” supply chains medical devices jeopardize advances.
In fact, about a third of women do not receive even four of the eight recommended antenatal checkups or basic postnatal care, while several 270 million women do not have access to modern methods of family planning.
“It is unacceptable that so many women continue to unnecessarily die during pregnancy and childbirth. More than 280,000 deaths in one year is unacceptable. We can and must do more by urgently investing in family planning and addressing the global midwife shortage (an estimated 900,000 midwives) so that all women can receive the life-saving care they need. We have the tools, knowledge and resources to end preventable maternal deaths; now we need political will,” stressed the executive director UNFPA, Natalya Kanem.
In addition, the report warns that the pandemic corona virus may further slow progress in maternal health. With the current data series ending in 2020, more data will be needed to show the true impact this has had, according to the organizations. health crisis in maternal mortality.
“Reducing maternal mortality remains one of the most pressing global health challenges. Ending preventable maternal deaths and ensuring universal access to quality maternal health care requires sustained national and international efforts and unwavering commitment, especially for the most vulnerable populations. We have a collective responsibility to ensure that every mother, wherever she is, experiences childbirth and that she and her children are doing well,” said John Wilmot, Director of the Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
Finally, the report highlights the need to “significantly accelerate” progress towards global targets to reduce maternal mortality, as “otherwise” lives will be more one million women by 2030.