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.

She highlighted the urgent need for African governments, including Nigeria, to strengthen key aspects of maternity care, such as antenatal services, skilled birth attendance, and emergency obstetric care.

In Nigeria, poor healthcare infrastructure, inadequate medical personnel, and financial constraints continue to limit access to essential maternal health services. Many women, particularly in rural areas, give birth at home without the assistance of trained healthcare providers, increasing the risk of complications and death. Additionally, a lack of awareness about preeclampsia and other pregnancy-related conditions often leads to delayed medical intervention.

Northern Nigeria continues to face one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, with thousands of women dying each year due to pregnancy-related complications.

The region, which accounts for a significant portion of Nigeria’s population, struggles with inadequate healthcare facilities, cultural barriers, poverty, and insecurity, all contributing to the high number of maternal deaths.

According to reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), Nigeria accounts for nearly 20 percent of global maternal deaths, with northern states experiencing the highest burden.

In states such as Kano, Sokoto, Zamfara, Jigawa, and Yobe, maternal mortality rates exceed 1,000 deaths per 100,000 live births, far above the national average of 512 deaths per 100,000 live births. Rural areas remain the most affected, with maternal deaths recorded at rates three to five times higher than in urban centers.

The leading causes of maternal deaths in the region include severe bleeding during childbirth, hypertensive disorders such as preeclampsia, infections, unsafe abortions, and complications from prolonged labor. Many of these deaths occur due to poor access to quality healthcare, as rural communities often lack functional health facilities, skilled birth attendants, and emergency obstetric services. Often, women must travel long distances to reach hospitals, a delay that often proves fatal.

WHO’s findings emphasized the importance of postnatal care, noting that most maternal deaths occur during or shortly after childbirth. Yet, in many African countries, including Nigeria, a significant percentage of women do not receive follow-up care within the first few days after delivery. This gap in healthcare services increases the risk of complications that could otherwise be managed with timely intervention.

Dr. Jenny Cresswell, a WHO scientist and co-author of the study, pointed out that multiple interrelated factors contribute to maternal mortality in Africa. For instance, conditions like preeclampsia can increase the likelihood of severe bleeding and other life-threatening complications long after childbirth. She called for a holistic approach to maternal health, emphasizing that access to quality healthcare before, during, and after pregnancy is essential to saving lives.

In 2024, WHO and its partners launched a global roadmap to combat postpartum hemorrhage, one of the leading causes of maternal death. The initiative aims to improve access to lifesaving medical treatments, particularly in low-resource settings like Nigeria. Furthermore, the 194 member states of the World Health Assembly recently passed a resolution committing to strengthening maternal and newborn healthcare services.

As part of its ongoing efforts, WHO has announced that World Health Day 2025 will focus on maternal and newborn health, calling for a significant scale-up of healthcare services in the poorest and most crisis-affected regions. The campaign will not only emphasize reducing maternal deaths but also advocate for improved postnatal care, mental health support, and access to quality reproductive health services for African women.