More West African women at risk of dying in childbirth — Report

More women could die in childbirth in sub-Saharan Africa by 2030 due to setbacks in maternal care in Africa, according to a report from the Atlas of African Health Statistics 2022.

The report predicted that 390 women could die in childbirth per 100,000 live births by 2030.

By comparison, this is more than five times higher than the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals target of less than 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, and well above the average of 13 deaths per 100,000 births observed in Europe in 2017, which is more than the global average of 211, according to the report.

To meet the SDG target, Africa would need an 86% reduction from 2017 rates, he said.

He also noted that the infant mortality rate in the sub-Saharan region now stands at 72 per 1,000 live births, adding that at the current annual rate of decline of 3.1%, there will be around 54 deaths. per 1,000 live births by 2030. This figure, according to the report, is well above the reduction target of less than 25 per 1,000.

The report assessed the nine targets linked to the Sustainable Development Goal on health and found that at the current pace, increased investments were needed to accelerate progress towards the targets, noting that among the most difficult to to achieve would be the reduction of maternal mortality.

Speaking of these results, the World Health Organization's Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, said: "Africa has recorded some of the world's fastest rates of reduction in main health goals, but momentum is waning.

"This means that for many African women childbirth remains a persistent risk and millions of children do not live long enough to celebrate their fifth birthday.

“It is crucial that governments radically change course, overcome challenges and accelerate the pace towards health goals.

"These goals are not mere milestones, but the very foundations of healthier lives and the well-being of millions of people."

Despite worrying maternal figures, the report notes that Africa has made remarkable progress in some areas in the first decade of the 21st century.

Under-five mortality decreased by 35%; neonatal mortality rates have fallen by 21% and maternal mortality has decreased by 28%, but over the past decade progress in these three areas has leveled off, particularly for maternal mortality, he said. declared.

While Africa has made progress in family planning, with 56.3% of women of reproductive age (15-49) whose family planning needs are met by modern methods of contraception in 2020, the region is still well below the global average of 77 percent and the worst performers, according to the report.

The report also found that insufficient investment in health and financing of health programs were among the main barriers to achieving the SDGs on health.

"For example, a 2022 WHO survey of 47 African countries found that the region had a ratio of 1.55 health workers (doctors, nurses and midwives) per 1,000 people, in below the WHO density threshold of 4.45 health workers per 1,000 population needed to deliver essential health services and achieve universal health coverage.

"In the African region, 65% of deliveries are attended by skilled health personnel - the lowest level in the world and far from the 90% target set for 2030. Skilled birth attendants are crucial for the good -to be women and newborns.

"Neonatal deaths account for almost half of total under-five mortality. Accelerating the program to achieve its reduction target will be a major step towards reducing the under-five mortality rate to less than 25 deaths per 1000 live births,” the report states.

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