Aid Cuts May Reverse Gains on Maternal Deaths Despite Report of Reduction

The United Nations has warned that recent cuts in global health aid could reverse decades of progress in reducing maternal deaths worldwide.

This caution comes even as a new UN report indicates that fewer women were dying during pregnancy and childbirth compared to the early 2000s.

The report, released today, shows a significant 40% global decline in maternal deaths between 2000 and 2023. This improvement is largely attributed to increased access to essential healthcare services, skilled birth attendants, and improved emergency obstetric care.

However, UN agencies are raising serious concerns about the potential impact of significant reductions in international health funding. They warn that these cuts are already leading to the closure of healthcare facilities, the loss of crucial health workers, and disruptions in the supply of life-saving medicines and equipment needed to manage pregnancy and childbirth complications.

“While this report offers a glimmer of hope, the reality is that pregnancy remains alarmingly dangerous for far too many women around the world,” said a spokesperson for the World Health Organization (WHO). “These aid cuts threaten to reverse the hard-won gains and could lead to a tragic increase in preventable maternal deaths.”

The report highlights that the pace of decline in maternal mortality has slowed considerably since 2016, and in some regions, progress has stagnated or even reversed. The COVID-19 pandemic also contributed to a rise in maternal deaths in 2021 due to both direct complications and disruptions to essential services.

The UN emphasizes that pregnant women in fragile and conflict-affected countries face the highest risk, with alarmingly high maternal mortality rates. These settings are particularly vulnerable to the negative consequences of reduced health aid.

“Global funding cuts to health services are putting more pregnant women at risk, especially in the most fragile settings, by limiting their access to essential care during pregnancy 1 and childbirth,” stated a representative from UNICEF. “The world must urgently invest in midwives, nurses, and community health workers to ensure every mother and baby has a chance to survive and thrive.