Procrastination of Global Progress in Tackling Maternal and Newborn Deaths: Need to Act Differently for Different Outcomes

Abstract

Olivier Sibomana

Maternal and newborn mortality is great public health issue that need strong global attention. Although most of them are preventable, an estimate of 4.5 million, including 0.29 million maternal deaths, 1.9 million stillbirths, and 2.3 million newborn deaths, occurs every year. This is equivalent to the death of 800 women and 6700 newborns every day or the death of one pregnant woman or newborn every seven seconds. The regions with the highest death rates include Sub- Saharan Africa and Central and Southern Asia. Despite many available interventions, if offered to all expectant mothers and newborns, would greatly reduce maternal and newborn mortality burden, the world is off track to meet the global targets for maternal deaths, infant deaths and stillbirths, and this should not be acceptable. Even though there has been considerable progress in maternal and newborn health (MNH) care that led to 45% reduction in maternal mortality since 1990, from 2015, the world's efforts to reduce maternal and infant deaths have significantly reduced and even reversing in some countries, according to the recent report. This halt has been caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, increased poverty, and humanitarian crises that increased the burden on the already underwhelmed MNH care. Increasing financial investment and political commitment, enhancing health service delivery, improving community engagement, and strengthening data and information system are mostly required to eventually minimize maternal and neonatal deaths. We must act differently if we need different outcomes.

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