Every Two Minutes a Woman Dies Due to Pregnancy or Childbirth

The United Nations Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG) reports that about 800 maternal deaths occur every day, or one every two minutes. The WHO is committed to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio (MMR) to less than 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030.

“While pregnancy should be a time of immense hope and a positive experience for all women, it is tragically still a shockingly dangerous experience for millions around the world who lack access to high quality, respectful healthcare,” says Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General, WHO. 

Maternal mortality is linked to multiple factors such as health system failures, social determinants, harmful gender norms and scenarios that cause instability and health system fragility. Women who live in the poorest parts of the world and in countries at conflict are the ones who suffer the most. Maternal mortality rates were more than double the world average in nine countries facing severe humanitarian crises. 

The MMEIG also found evidence of excess maternal mortality in Mexico during the COVID-19 pandemic. As of January 2022, Mexico's maternal mortality rate was of 53.1 deaths per 100,000 estimated births, which represents an increase of 18.7% compared to the previous year. COVID-19 was the cause of death in 42.7% of cases during that period, followed by edema, proteinuria and hypertensive disorders complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium, as reported by MBN. 

Although the scenario is still critical, the published report shows that there has been a decrease in MMR since the UN introduced the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). In 2016, there were about 309,000 maternal deaths worldwide, while by 2020, this number had contracted to 287,000 maternal deaths.  

Mexico plans to reduce the 46 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births observed in 2010 by at least two thirds by 2030. In Mexico, maternal deaths are most common among those living in the poorest regions of the country. affecting mainly indigenous communities, as reported by the UN Population Fund. Chiapas, State of Mexico, Veracruz, Jalisco and Oaxaca are the states with the highest rates of maternal death, as reported by MBN. 

According to the UN, “with immediate action, more investments in primary healthcare and stronger, more resilient health systems, we can save lives, improve health and well-being, and advance the rights of and opportunities for women and adolescents,” says Juan Pablo Uribe, Global Director for Health, Nutrition and Population, World Bank.