UN Report Reveals Astonishing Maternal Mortality Rate: 1 Dead Every 120 Seconds

The latest United Nations agencies report revealed the staggering number of maternal deaths to be more than a million by 2030. In 2020 the global maternal mortality rate per the UN report was around 287,000. 

The latest UN report released today tracks maternal mortality from 2000-2020 regionally, nationally, and globally. The report indicates that the maternity rate is the highest in conflict zones and underdeveloped regions. Moreover, the information makes a call to action for nations to set targets to collectively make an effort to lower maternal deaths.

WHO Chief And Other Officials On The Maternal Mortality Rate  

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) said the following in an official release:

“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 worldwide who lack access to high quality, respectful health care.”

UNFPA Executive Director, Dr Natalia Kamen urged for a political consensus in her statement:

It is unacceptable that so many women continue to die needlessly in pregnancy and childbirth. Over 280,000 fatalities in a single year are unconscionable. We can and must do better by urgently investing in family planning and filling the global shortage of 900,000 midwives so that every woman can get the lifesaving care she needs."

Worst stricken regions of Maternal Deaths

Sub-Saharan Africa saw as high as 70 percent of maternal deaths in 2020. Nine countries suffering severely from humanitarian crises recorded double the average of maternal deaths than others. Globally 223 death rates were recorded for every 100,000 live births and the nine countries recorded 551.

Not all nations have been struggling with these numbers. New Zealand, Australia, South Asia, Central Asia and 31 other countries experienced a 35 percent and 16 percent decline in their rates.

Complications from abortions, infections during pregnancy, substantial bleeding, and high blood pressure have been identified as leading causes of maternal mortality rates by the United Nations agencies report. The report reveals that to date around 270 million women do not have access to modern family planning means. 

Suggested reading: Overall Maternal Mortality Ratio Dips, Maternal Deaths Rise In Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Bengal