On the occasion of World Health Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) has called on both international and national stakeholders to urgently invest in reducing maternal and newborn deaths in Pakistan.
In its statement, the WHO highlighted that every day in Pakistan, an estimated 675 newborns under the age of one month and 27 mothers die due to preventable complications—amounting to over 246,300 newborn and 9,800 maternal deaths annually. In addition, Pakistan records more than 190,000 stillbirths each year.
“Healthy mothers and newborns are essential for a nation’s future. Ending maternal and newborn deaths is achievable, but only if we renew our collective efforts,” said Dr. Dapeng Luo, WHO Representative in Pakistan. He reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to supporting Pakistan in safeguarding the health of mothers and infants, regardless of location or background.
Dr. Luo stressed, “Even a single maternal or newborn death is one too many. The cost of inaction far outweighs the investment needed to save lives.”
He also pointed out the economic benefits of investing in maternal and newborn health. Every dollar spent yields an estimated return of $9 to $20, contributing to better health outcomes, economic growth, and stronger, healthier societies.
WHO acknowledged that Pakistan has made notable progress over the years. The maternal mortality ratio declined from 276 per 100,000 live births in 2006 to 155 in 2024. Neonatal mortality dropped from 52 per 1,000 live births in 2006 to 37.6 in 2024, and stillbirths decreased from 39.8 to 27.5 per 1,000 births since 2000.
With continued support from WHO and partners, Pakistan has also advanced in combating maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT), with 80% of the population—around 190 million people—now living in areas where the disease is under control.
To mark World Health Day, several UN agencies issued a joint report warning that recent cuts in humanitarian aid threaten hard-won gains in maternal health across many countries. The report cautioned that, without swift action, pregnant women globally will face worsening health outcomes.
The report, titled Trends in Maternal Mortality, noted a 40% global reduction in maternal deaths between 2000 and 2023, largely due to better access to essential health services. However, progress has slowed since 2016, with an estimated 260,000 women dying from pregnancy or childbirth complications in 2023—roughly one death every two minutes.
The agencies warned that ongoing funding cuts have led to the closure of healthcare facilities, loss of health personnel, and disruptions in the supply of lifesaving medicines for conditions such as haemorrhage, pre-eclampsia, and malaria.
Despite some signs of progress, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that pregnancy remains dangerous in many parts of the world. “The solutions to prevent most maternal deaths exist—what’s needed now is action,” he said.
The report also gave the first global analysis of how the COVID-19 pandemic affected maternal health. In 2021, maternal deaths rose by 40,000 from the previous year—jumping from 282,000 to 322,000. This spike was driven not only by COVID-19 complications but also by major disruptions in maternity care, underscoring the need for reliable access to both routine and emergency services during health crises.