India ranks second in global maternal deaths, around 19k deaths in 2023: WHO

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently released the ‘Trends in maternal mortality 2000 to 2023’ report to highlight the dire need to address the issue of maternal mortality across the globe. The report throws light on the internationally comparable global, regional and country-level estimates and trends for maternal mortality between 2000 and 2023.

As per the report, in 2023, every day over 700 women died from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. India has been ranked as second in terms of maternal deaths after Nigeria, with approximately 75 000 deaths, which accounted for more than a quarter (28.7 per cent) of all estimated global maternal deaths in 2023, said the report.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo ( DRC) and India recorded around 19,000 deaths in 2023. Meanwhile, Pakistan recorded 11,000 deaths, as per the report. Together, these four countries accounted for almost half of all maternal deaths globally in 2023.

“Preventable deaths from maternal mortality are deeply rooted in poverty and inequality. Nearly all occur in low-and middle-income countries and communities – the same countries and communities that will be hardest hit by reductions in funding for global health,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organisation.

Five countries had more than 5,000 maternal deaths in 2023. These include Ethiopia, Afghanistan, the United Republic of Tanzania, Indonesia and Chad (in order from higher to lower numbers).

According to the WHO report, countries including Rwanda and Sri Lanka have reduced maternal mortality dramatically by expanding midwifery services and improving rural healthcare access.

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