Each year, 358,000 women die from complications in pregnancy and childbirth—an estimated one thousand women every day. Maternal mortality is one of the greatest health disparities in the world, with 99% percent of maternal deaths occurring in developing countries. For every woman that dies in childbirth, more than 20 women will suffer serious injury, such as obstetric fistula, which the World Health Organization (WHO) has referred to as the most devastating consequence of neglected childbirth.
While progress has been made in reducing maternal mortality—since 1990, the global maternal mortality rate has decreased by 34 percent, from 500,000 to 358,000—far too many women continue to die from things we know how to prevent.
Direct Relief is strengthening maternal and child health efforts through three key initiatives:
- Equipping Midwives with essential supplies to ensure safe delivery. According to the UN, having a skilled birth attendant at delivery is the single most effective intervention to reduce maternal mortality.
- Increasing access to Emergency Obstetric Care for complicated deliveries. When emergency obstetrics care and a skilled birth attendant are available, rates of maternal death can be reduced by 75%.
- Supporting Obstetric Fistula Repair programs to provide life-restoring care to thousands of women. Obstetric Fistula is caused by obstructed labor when women lack access to a skilled birth attendant and emergency obstetric care.
Direct Relief is committed to working with partners worldwide who focus on improving health care access and services for women and children.
Source: Trends in Maternal Mortality. WHO, UNFPA, UNICEF, The World Bank, 2010.