World Health Day 2025: Prioritizing Maternal and Newborn Health in Africa
This year’s World Health Day carries the powerful theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures”, emphasizing our shared responsibility to eliminate preventable maternal and newborn deaths while safeguarding the long-term health of women and children across Africa.
The Stark Reality of Maternal and Newborn Mortality
Despite global progress, maternal and child health remains a critical challenge. Shockingly:
- 300,000 women die annually from pregnancy/childbirth complications
- 2.3 million newborns perish within their first month
- 1.9 million stillbirths occur yearly
These tragedies disproportionately affect low-income countries, with the WHO African Region bearing the heaviest burden. Every hour in Africa, 20 mothers and 120 newborns lose their lives – totaling 178,000 maternal and 1 million newborn deaths annually.
Alarming Projections for 2030 Targets
New data reveals concerning trends:
- 80% of countries will miss maternal survival goals
- 65 nations won’t meet newborn mortality reduction targets
- 60 countries (mostly African) lag behind child mortality objectives
Progress Amid Challenges
Encouraging developments include:
- Expanded health worker training programs
- Strengthened maternal/newborn care services
- Digital innovations improving healthcare access
Sierra Leone’s WHO-supported initiative demonstrates success through facility upgrades, personnel training, and investments in social determinants of health.
Persistent Obstacles
Significant barriers remain:
- Underfunded health systems
- Infrastructure deficiencies
- Healthcare worker shortages
- Conflict and climate emergencies
Funding cuts to global health programs further endanger vulnerable populations, potentially reversing years of progress.
WHO’s Call to Action
The WHO African Region recommends five critical measures:
- Invest in high-impact maternal/newborn health services
- Expand equitable access to quality care
- Strengthen legal protections for women’s and children’s health rights
- Address socioeconomic health determinants
- Enhance accountability and innovation
Every dollar invested in maternal and newborn health yields significant returns through healthier families, stronger communities, and economic growth.
Commitment to Change
On World Health Day 2025, we must reaffirm our dedication to ensuring every African mother and child receives the care needed for a healthy start and brighter future.
Source: Original article by Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, WHO Regional Director for Africa