The United Nations Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter–Agency Group, called the MMEIG recently released a report on the maternal mortality rate. The report shows the maternal mortality rates between 2000 and 2020. The MMEIG comprises of World Health Organization, UNFPA, UNICEF, and the World Bank. The report presents data on maternal mortality trends at the global level, regional level, and country levels.
Key Findings of the report
- In 2020, around 800 women died during pregnancy and childbirth. This means two women died every two minutes. Sustainable Development Goal 3.1 aims to reduce maternal mortality to less than 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. And this is to be achieved by 2030
- At the country level, the three countries namely South Sudan, Chad, and Nigeria recorded the highest MMR. Their MMR were greater than 1000
- The decline in maternal rates declined in north Africa, sub-Saharan Africa, western Asia, and southeastern Asia
- Around 46 Least Developed Countries recorded high HIV-related indirect maternal deaths. Of these, 33 were in Africa, three were in the Pacific zone, one in the Caribbean, and nine were in Asia
- HIV infections were at their highest in 2005. Maternal mortality due to HIV infections have decreased since 2005
Sub Saharan Region
70% of maternal deaths were reported here. Maximum HIV-related maternal deaths were also reported here. The world average MMR in 2020 was 223. The average MMR here was 545; higher than the world’s average