The United Nations reports that one woman dies every two minutes from pregnancy and childbirth complications, although maternal mortality has fallen by a third in twenty years. In 2000, the maternal mortality rate was 339 per 100,000 and in 2020 it has come down to 223. There has been a 34.3 percent drop in maternal mortality in 20 years. Meanwhile, 800 women died due to pregnancy complications in 2020 alone. “Although pregnancy is a time of great hope and positive experience for all women, it is still a traumatic experience for millions of people around the world,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
He said these figures highlight the need to ensure better health services for all women and girls. Only eight UN regions saw a decrease during 2016–20. 35 percent in Australia and New Zealand and 16 percent less in Central and South Asia. In Europe and North America, the maternal mortality rate increased by 17 percent. A 15 percent increase was recorded in Latin America and the Caribbean.
According to the UN, two European countries have recorded significant increases in maternal mortality rates. Most maternal deaths occur in the world’s poorest regions and conflict-affected countries. Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 70 percent of the deaths recorded in 2020. This is 136 times higher than the maternal mortality rate in Australia and New Zealand. The rates in Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria and Yemen are more than double the global average.
Major causes of death include severe bleeding, infections, complications from unsafe abortions, and conditions such as HIV/AIDS. All of these are largely preventable and treatable, the report said. The report covers information up to 2020. At the same time, the economic crisis after the pandemic may have made it more dire, according to the UN report.
English Summary; Pregnancy and childbirth complications, one woman dies every two minutes: UN
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