WHO Calls for Global Actions to Enhance Maternal, Newborn Health

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that World Health Day 2025 will highlight maternal and newborn health under the theme "Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures." The campaign, running until 2026, aims to address critical gaps in care and support efforts to reduce preventable deaths among mothers and infants. 

"The focus of this campaign comes at a crucial moment, aiming to help countries regain lost progress while showcasing new research and evidence that will enhance the health of women and babies globally," says Anshu Banerjee, Director of Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health and Ageing, WHO. 

Observed annually on April 7, World Health Day marks WHO’s founding in 1948 and serves to draw attention to pressing global health issues, reports the organization. This year’s campaign comes as many countries struggle to meet maternal and newborn health targets set by the United Nations for 2030. WHO data indicate that nearly 300,000 women die each year from pregnancy or childbirth complications, while more than 2 million newborns die within their first month. Another 2 million pregnancies result in stillbirths. 

The WHO reports that four out of five countries are not on track to meet global maternal survival targets, and one-third are set to miss newborn health goals. Insufficient funding, disrupted health services, and a lack of medical research focused on pregnant and breastfeeding women have stalled progress. To address these issues, WHO is urging governments, donors, and health organizations to invest in evidence-based interventions. 

In Mexico, about two women died each day between 2016 and 2021 due to complications related to obstetric care, totaling around 850 deaths per year and 5,099 over the entire period, according to UNAM. The gestational, perinatal, and neonatal mortality rate is 14 per 1,000 live births. 

A recent study by the National Institute of Public Health (INSP) highlights significant disparities for indigenous women. From 2009 to 2023, effective maternal health coverage for this group was only 18.3%, compared to 25.3% for non-indigenous women.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) reports that Mexico is making progress in maternal, neonatal, and child healthcare, particularly in Chiapas, where the percentage of women giving birth in healthcare facilities rose from 37% in 2011 to 48% in 2025, alongside improvements in prenatal and postpartum care, reports MBN.

The WHO estimates that every US$1 spent on maternal and newborn care in low and middle-income countries generates a return of US$9 to US$20 through improved public health and economic development. With World Health Day 2025, WHO seeks to mobilize global efforts to ensure that women and newborns receive the care they need. The organization calls for collaboration among governments, healthcare providers, and civil society to address existing challenges and improve health outcomes for future generations.