WHO Reports Pakistan Among the Top 4 Countries with Highest Maternal Mortality Rates

ISLAMABAD: The World Health Organization (WHO) has ranked Pakistan among the four countries with the highest maternal mortality rates, a stark reminder of the challenges faced by the nation in ensuring the safety and well-being of mothers during pregnancy and childbirth.

According to the report, Pakistan, along with Nigeria, India, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, accounts for 47% of the world’s total maternal deaths due to pregnancy-related complications. This troubling statistic highlights the disproportionate burden these countries bear when it comes to maternal health.

A joint report by WHO and three United Nations agencies revealed that in 2023, there were 260,000 maternal deaths globally, with Nigeria alone contributing 75,000 deaths, making up 28.7% of the total global maternal deaths. India and Congo each reported 19,000 maternal deaths, while Pakistan saw a total of 11,000 deaths, contributing 4.1% to the global maternal mortality rate.

The report emphasized that the majority of these deaths were due to complications during childbirth, such as excessive bleeding, infections, high blood pressure, and other pregnancy-related issues. The figures indicate that despite some progress in healthcare access, significant gaps remain in providing adequate care to pregnant women, particularly in high-risk areas.

On the occasion of World Health Day, the report also highlighted that between 2000 and 2023, there was a 40% decrease in global maternal deaths, largely due to improved access to essential health services. However, the report stresses that there are still substantial challenges, and further improvements in healthcare infrastructure and maternal care are necessary to prevent such preventable deaths.

UN agencies have called for increased investment in healthcare workers and warned that cuts in aid could jeopardize efforts to reduce maternal mortality rates. The report concluded that with enhanced healthcare access and training for healthcare workers, maternal deaths could be significantly reduced in these high-risk regions.

This report serves as a reminder of the urgent need for policy changes, improved healthcare facilities, and better healthcare access for mothers to combat this ongoing public health crisis.