Maternal deaths in northern Nigeria remain critically high – WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concerns over the high rate of maternal deaths in Africa, with Nigeria among the most affected countries.
According to a newly released study, complications such as hemorrhage, severe bleeding, and hypertensive disorders, including preeclampsia, remain the leading causes of maternal deaths across the continent.
The report, published in The Lancet Global Health, revealed that in 2020 alone, an estimated 287,000 women worldwide died from pregnancy-related complications, with sub-Saharan Africa accounting for a significant portion of these deaths.
Nigeria, which has one of the highest maternal mortality rates globally, continues to face challenges in providing adequate healthcare for pregnant women, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
The WHO study found that excessive bleeding during or after childbirth was responsible for nearly one-third of maternal deaths, while hypertensive disorders, such as preeclampsia, accounted for an additional 16%. Other critical factors contributing to maternal deaths included infections, unsafe abortions, childbirth-related injuries, and a lack of access to emergency obstetric care.
Dr. Pascale Allotey, WHO’s Director of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, stressed that most of these deaths could be prevented with timely medical intervention and improved maternal healthcare services
