The World Health Organization and other UN agencies Thursday reported that global maternal mortality rates dropped by 34.3 percent over the past two decades.
The UN agencies added that rates dropped from 339 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in 2000 to 223 maternal deaths in 2020.
Health experts reported that the figures released translated to nearly 800 women died per day in 2020, or one death every two minutes.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO’s chief said maternal death rates are still high across the world.
“While pregnancy should be a time of immense hope and a positive experience for all women, it is tragically still a shockingly dangerous experience for millions around the world,” said Ghebreyesus.
“These new statistics reveal the urgent need to ensure every woman and girl has access to critical health services… and that they can fully exercise their reproductive rights,” he added.
Jenny Cresswell, the author of the UN report said maternal deaths remain largely concentrated in the world’s poorest regions and in conflict- affected nations.
“Around 70 percent of those deaths recorded in 2020 were in sub-Saharan Africa, where the rate is ‘136 times bigger’ than in Australia and New Zealand,” said Cresswell.
Natalia Kanem, the head of the UN Population Fund said the rate of women “needlessly” dying was “unconscionable.”
“We can and must do better by urgently investing in family planning and filling the global shortage of 900,000 midwives,” said Kanem.