World Health Day: Urgent call to protect mothers and newborns in Africa

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Extract from the article: The World Health Organization (WHO) warns about alarming figures of maternal and neonatal mortality, especially in Africa on the occasion of World Health Day, celebrated this April 7, 2025 under the theme: “Good health at birth for a hopeful future”.

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The World Health Organization (WHO) warns about alarming figures of maternal and neonatal mortality, especially in Africa on the occasion of World Health Day, celebrated this April 7, 2025 under the theme: “Good health at birth for a hopeful future”. Every year, nearly 300,000 women die from complications related to pregnancy or childbirth. There are also 2.3 million neonatal deaths (in the first month of life) and 1.9 million stillbirths, with a large majority occurring in low-income countries, mainly in Africa.

This is of particular concern in the WHO African region, where 20 women and 120 newborns die every hour. This represents 178,000 maternal deaths and one million newborn deaths each year.
Every seven seconds, a woman or child dies... Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, WHO’s Acting Regional Director for Africa, said that “every seven seconds somewhere in the world a woman or child dies of preventable causes.”

Despite efforts, four out of five countries are not on track to meet the 2030 maternal mortality reduction targets. Sixty-five countries are at risk of missing the newborn targets, 60 of which are in Africa. In response to this emergency, WHO is launching a one-year campaign in the region focused on the rights of women and children to survive and thrive. This initiative builds on World Health Assembly resolution WHA77.5, which calls for accelerated progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

Signs of hope, but persistent challenges

Some countries are leading the way. In Sierra Leone, a WHO-supported project has led to significant advances in health infrastructure, training of skilled personnel and tackling social inequalities in health.

But the challenges remain numerous: lack of funding, inadequate infrastructure, shortage of health workers, conflicts, climate emergencies, not to mention reductions in international aid that further weaken health systems.

To reverse the trend, WHO calls for: Investing in high-impact maternal and neonatal health care; Expanding equitable access to quality care, especially in rural and crisis areas; Strengthen laws protecting the health rights of women and children; Combat social and economic inequalities; Encourage coordination, innovation and accountability at all levels.

 A solemn call

“Every dollar invested in maternal and newborn health generates lasting benefits for families, communities and economies,” says the WHO.

Dr. Ihekweazu made a solemn appeal: “Let us reaffirm our commitment to ensure that every mother and baby in Africa has a chance to live healthy lives and build a hopeful future.”

World Health Day is an international day dedicated to health promotion. It is celebrated annually on 7 April to mark the anniversary of the creation of the World Health Organization (WHO), and provides an opportunity to mobilize action around a public health issue that affects the entire world.

Together, let us commit to ending preventable maternal and neonatal deaths.

Jean ELI