We work to harness evidence, track progress, and foster learning so that every pregnant woman, new mother and newborn has the best chance at survival and health, no matter where they are.
Photo © 2023 WHO / Gary Chong Studios – Faris Syazwan:
Ismaziah, a community nurse and midwife, assesses the child’s health and runs through the standard medical protocol checklist.
Photo © 2017 WHO/Yoshi Shimizu:
Expectant mother in Sabang, Puerto Prinsesa
The issue
Every seven seconds, a woman or a baby dies due to complications in pregnancy, childbirth or the first few weeks after birth. Mortality declines have stalled since 2016 and funding diverted to other issues.
The action
We must and can reverse this trend even in the short time until 2030 and meet the global commitments for maternal and newborn survival and stillbirth reduction.
Global commitments for maternal and newborn health
World leaders have repeatedly committed to reduce maternal and newborn deaths and stillbirth:
- Sustainable Development Goal 3, target 3.1: Reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030; and target 3.2: end reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births.
- The Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health (2016–2030): roadmap for ending all preventable maternal, newborn and child deaths, including stillbirths, by 2030, and improving their overall health and well-being.
- Resolution 77.5 for Acceleration towards the Sustainable Development Goals Target for maternal newborn and child mortality (MNCH) adopted at the 77th World Health Assembly (2024).
Photo © 2024 WHO:
WHO team visit to Al Hilal Emirates Hospital in Rafah (Gaza), showing the work of the midwives and the situation of the mothers there.
The solution
Over 100 countries are showing us how. Their experience in adopting strategies to end preventable newborn deaths and stillbirths (Every Newborn Action Plan) and maternal deaths (Ending Preventable Maternal Mortality) in the past decade as well as the latest data call for six urgent actions:
Photo © 2024 WHO:
WHO team visit to Al Hilal Emirates Hospital in Rafah (Gaza), showing the work of the midwives and the situation of the mothers there.
- Raise the bar to match SDG commitments with investments. Strong leadership that is backed by adequate resources and strong partnerships drives progress for women and children.
- Invest in all stages of the life course. All investments in the health of women and children build human capital, and contribute to long-term wellbeing, thereby reducing the overall burden on national health systems.
- Make strategic choices about which health care package to prioritize, based on each country’s context and critical gaps.
- Go local: Design, budget for and implement strategies and plans at the sub-national level, with women, families and communities engaged at every step, to account for the inequities accessing quality care within a country and ensuring local needs and priorities are met.
- Prioritize, standardize and improve data to track and address coverage, equity and quality gaps.
- Foster multistakeholder and multisectoral partnerships that bring together the private sector, professional bodies, communities, and allied health sectors.
Photo © 2021 WHO / Ismail Taxta
WHO staff and Somali nurses at Banadir Hospital in Mogadishu.
In practice: more coverage for improved survival
The governments of these countries (link to page ‘High burden countries’) – in Africa, the Americas, the Eastern Mediterranean region, Europe, South-East Asia and the Western Pacific – show us that progress is possible and within reach and call for a stronger focus on equity and quality.
of pregnant women receive at least four antenatal care visits
of women give birth with a skilled health worker present
of new mothers and their babies receive postnatal care within two days of birth
of districts have sick and small newborn care units and emergency obstetric care accessible for at least half of the population