UN sounds alarm on maternal deaths as aid cuts loom

The United Nations agencies have warned that more women are at risk of dying in pregnancy and childbirth due to the present aid cuts by rich countries.

 

According to a new UN report on trends in maternal mortality, over 700 women died from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth every day in 2023. That means approximately one woman is dying every two minutes. 

 

The UN officials have pointed out that pregnant women in conflict zones are the most vulnerable, and face an "alarmingly high" risk compared to other areas.

 

As per the UN, the Sustainable Development Goal target 3.1 is to reduce maternal mortality to less than 70 maternal deaths per 1,00,000 live births by 2030. In order to achieve the goal the deaths around the world should fall 10 times faster than at present.

 

Between 2000 and 2023, the deaths due to complications in pregnancy and childbirth declined 40 per cent globally. Approximately, 2,60,000 women died in 2023 from pregnancy-related causes as well. 

 

With the US funding cut, many clinics across the world are getting shut. Many workers are losing jobs too. The disruption of supply chains to deliver life-saving medicines to treat leading causes of maternal deaths such as haemorrhage, pre-eclampsia and malaria could be increasing the maternal death rates. 

 

The maternal deaths in 2021 rose to 40,000 in 2021 due to Covid pandemic, as per the UN report. 

 

Dr Bruce Aylward, assistant director general, WHO, said the disruption of services would lead to "pandemic-like effects."

 

The UN report also highlighted the disparities in poor countries. In 2023 there were 346 maternal deaths per 1,00,000 live births- nearly 35 times the 10 per 1,00,000 in rich countries. 

 

Meanwhile, Catherine Russel, UNICEF's director called for urgent investment in midwives, nurses and community health workers to ensure that the mother and baby survive. 

Health