Galvanizing collective action to accelerate reductions in maternal and newborn mortality and prevention of stillbirths

Abstract

Every day, there are an estimated 810 maternal and 7,000 newborn deaths, and more than 5,000 stillbirths, most of which are preventable.1-3 While progress has been made in reducing maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality and preventing stillbirths worldwide, inequities and gaps in quality of care persist4 and are disproportionately most dire in countries affected by conflict.5 In 2020, the coronavirus disease (COVID19) pandemic and response exposed multiple system vulnerabilities, exacerbated inequities to accessing care, and caused widespread disruption in reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health services.6,7 Emerging evidence and modeling estimates of the indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal and newborn mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) reflect a sobering picture of what could lay ahead, with additional deaths estimated to be in the tens of thousands for mothers and hundreds of thousands for stillbirths and children aged under 5 years.3, 8-10 A dedicated, focused effort must be made to ensure maternal and newborn health (MNH) and prevention of stillbirths remain a priority.