In Malaya, a 19-year-old girl named Kaveri tragically passed away in 1934 due to severe bleeding after giving birth, leaving her son to grow up without a mother. Nearly a century later, the international community has pledged to eradicate such preventable deaths. However, progress in reducing maternal and newborn mortality rates has stagnated, leaving many vulnerable women and babies without access to life-saving medications.
According to data, a woman globally dies every two minutes during pregnancy or childbirth, while over 6,000 neonatal babies die within the first four weeks of life every day. These numbers are alarmingly high, especially in regions like sub-Saharan Africa. Despite efforts to decrease maternal and newborn deaths, many resource-poor countries continue to struggle in achieving the UN’s sustainable development goal of no more than 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030.
One major issue is the lack of implementation of essential guidelines provided by the World Health Organization, such as those for preventing and treating post-partum hemorrhage (PPH). While the first-line treatment for severe bleeding, oxytocin, is readily available, many health workers are not adequately trained to administer it. As a result, PPH still claims about 70,000 lives annually and leaves survivors with severe disabilities and mental anguish.
Improving access to affordable medications, especially in regions with limited resources, is crucial in reducing maternal and newborn mortality rates. Pharmaceutical companies have the capacity to provide these essential products at reasonable prices but have not made substantial efforts to do so. They possess the scientific expertise needed to develop innovative treatments and delivery methods, yet more action is needed to address the current inadequacies in the global healthcare system.
Research into heat-stable versions of oxytocin and easier administration methods, as well as ensuring a range of suitable antibiotics are available, can significantly improve maternal care. Outdated attitudes towards certain drugs, such as misoprostol, hinder their integration into routine obstetric care, despite their potential life-saving benefits. By prioritizing women’s health on the global healthcare agenda and ensuring access to essential medications, we can make a substantial difference in reducing maternal and newborn mortality rates worldwide.