Maternal Deaths Surge in Conflict Zones, WHO Report Reveals

Geneva: Nearly two-thirds of all maternal deaths worldwide occur in countries marked by conflict or fragility, according to a report released on Tuesday by the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners. The risk for women in these regions is alarmingly high, with a fivefold increase in the likelihood of dying from maternal causes compared to women in stable countries. According to United Nations, in 2023 alone, an estimated 160,000 women died from preventable maternal causes in fragile and conflict-affected settings. This figure accounts for six in ten maternal deaths globally, despite these countries representing only about one in ten of all live births worldwide. The report, which includes a technical brief, delves into the reasons why pregnant women in certain countries face higher risks during childbirth. It highlights the challenges that crises pose to health systems in delivering consistent, lifesaving maternal care. The intersection of factors such as gender, ethnicity, age, and migration status further exacerbates the risks for pregnant women in these fragile contexts. The disparity in risk is stark. A 15-year-old girl living in a conflict-affected area in 2023 faces a one in 51 lifetime risk of dying from a maternal cause. This contrasts with a one in 79 risk in areas affected by institutional and social fragility and a one in 593 risk in relatively stable countries. Aligning the latest maternal mortality ratio estimates with a country's conflict-affected or fragile status, the report reveals that conflict-affected countries have an estimated maternal mortality ratio of 504 deaths per 100,000 live births. In contrast, countries considered fragile have a ratio of 368, while countries outside these categories report a significantly lower ratio of 99. Despite the challenges, the report showcases innovative approaches being implemented to maintain maternal health services amid instability. In Colombia, training traditional birth attendants helps ensure timely care through trusted local networks. In Ethiopia, practical measures, such as mobile teams and renovated facilities, are restoring services after disruptions. Haiti's efforts focus on removing cost and infrastructure barriers, offering free or low-cost caesarean sections and reliable electricity to provide lifesaving care to displaced women. Initiatives in Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, and Ukraine demonstrate the benefits of focusing on essential maternal services, even amid complex crises or conflicts. By connecting maternal mortality data with fragility classifications, WHO and partners have developed a more precise tool to identify where health system strengthening is most urgently needed. The brief underscores the importance of investing in primary healthcare, enhancing data collection in hard-to-reach areas, and supporting resilient health system designs. These efforts aim to reduce preventable maternal deaths, even in the world's most challenging environments.