Africa Maternal Mortality SDG Targets 2030: Progress & Woes

By Darius Spearman (africanelements)

Support African Elements at patreon.com/africanelements and hear recent news in a single playlist. Additionally, you can gain early access to ad-free video content.

We need to face a hard truth: Africa is falling behind on a crucial promise. The United Nations warns the continent is way off track to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets for reducing maternal mortality by 2030. While there’s been progress, it’s just not fast enough. Consequently, too many of our mothers are dying from causes we know how to prevent.

The Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs, are 17 global goals adopted by the UN in 2015. They aim to tackle big world problems like poverty, climate change, and health inequalities. Specifically, SDG3 focuses on “Good Health and Well-Being,” with a key target being the drastic reduction of maternal deaths (Global health research partnerships in the context of the Sustainable…). This fight is personal for many in the diaspora, connecting us directly to the well-being of our families and communities on the continent.

SDG Maternal Health Targets: Progress vs. Reality

Let’s look at the numbers. The African region has indeed seen a significant drop in maternal deaths. Since 2000, the rate fell by 40%, from a staggering 727 deaths per 100,000 live births down to 442 in 2023. That reduction represents countless lives saved and families kept whole. We must acknowledge this hard-won progress. However, the current pace isn’t cutting it.

The SDG target is ambitious but vital: fewer than 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030 (African region’s maternal and newborn mortality declining, but progress still slow). To get there, Africa needs a much faster annual reduction rate than the current 2.2%. At this slow crawl, projections show the region will only reach about 350 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030. Ultimately, that’s nearly five times higher than the goal we committed to, a stark reminder of the challenge ahead.

Maternal Mortality Africa: A Staggering Burden

The statistics paint a grim picture of maternal and newborn health across the African region. Each year, around 178,000 mothers and 1 million newborns die from preventable causes (African region’s maternal and newborn mortality declining, but progress still slow). Globally, about 260,000 maternal deaths occurred in 2023 – that’s one death every two minutes. Tragically, sub-Saharan Africa carries the heaviest load, accounting for roughly 70% of these global deaths (Maternal Deaths Drop By 40%, But Aid Cuts Threaten Hard-Won Gains – UN Warns).

The situation is even more dire in areas plagued by conflict or instability, often referred to as fragile settings. These regions typically suffer from weak governance and economic hardship, severely impacting healthcare access (Global health research partnerships in the context of the Sustainable…). For instance, countries like Chad, Nigeria, and Somalia face some of the highest risks. Consider this sobering fact: a 15-year-old girl living in a fragile setting in sub-Saharan Africa faces a shocking 1 in 51 lifetime risk of dying from maternal causes. In contrast, her counterpart in a stable area faces a 1 in 593 risk (Maternal Deaths Drop By 40%, But Aid Cuts Threaten Hard-Won Gains – UN Warns). Clearly, instability dramatically magnifies the danger for expectant mothers.

Newborn Mortality Rates: A Parallel Struggle

The challenge extends beyond mothers to their newborns. Neonatal mortality, defined as deaths within the first 28 days of life, remains alarmingly high despite progress (Progress in achieving SDG targets for mortality reduction among…). The African region has seen neonatal death rates decline by 33% since 2000. While commendable, this improvement is insufficient to meet the SDG target of 12 or fewer deaths per 1,000 live births by 2030 (African region’s maternal and newborn mortality declining, but progress still slow).

The leading causes behind these tiny lives lost include preterm births (babies born before 37 weeks), infections like sepsis, complications during childbirth, and congenital anomalies (birth defects). Access to specialized newborn care can make a life-or-death difference. Unfortunately, such care is often lacking, particularly in rural communities and conflict-affected areas (African region’s maternal and newborn mortality declining, but progress still slow). Addressing maternal and newborn survival requires tackling these shared root causes head-on; therefore, integrated care is essential.

Preventable Causes & Systemic Barriers

The tragedy deepens when we realize most of these maternal and newborn deaths are preventable. For mothers, the leading killers include severe bleeding (hemorrhage), high blood pressure during pregnancy (hypertensive disorders), infections, complications from unsafe abortions, and problems during labor like obstructed labor. Timely access to skilled care during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period can prevent or manage these conditions effectively (African region’s maternal and newborn mortality declining, but progress still slow).

Systemic barriers, however, stand in the way. Cuts to funding, especially international aid, threaten the progress already made. This is particularly dangerous in fragile states (Maternal Deaths Drop By 40%, But Aid Cuts Threaten Hard-Won Gains – UN Warns). While the provided sources don’t detail which specific organizations or countries are cutting aid, the impact is clear. Furthermore, weak healthcare workforces, a shortage of facilities equipped for emergency obstetric care, and ongoing conflicts create a deadly combination that increases risks for mothers and babies (African region’s maternal and newborn mortality declining, but progress still slow). These systemic issues demand systemic solutions, including robust international partnerships as envisioned under SDG17 (Global health research partnerships in the context of the Sustainable…).

WHO Maternal Health Initiatives & A Call to Action

Recognizing the urgent need, the World Health Organization (WHO) actively works to accelerate progress. They are rolling out specific maternal and newborn health acceleration plans across Africa. These plans focus on expanding access to quality antenatal (before birth) and postnatal (after birth) care. Critically, they also aim to strengthen skilled birth attendance – ensuring trained professionals like midwives or doctors are present during delivery (African region’s maternal and newborn mortality declining, but progress still slow). While the sources don’t provide granular details on every specific program, the overall strategy aligns with SDG3’s push for universal health coverage (Sustainable Development Goals).

Progress in skilled birth attendance is visible, with over 60% of African countries reporting that more than 80% of births are attended by skilled personnel. However, significant gaps remain, especially in rural and conflict-affected areas (African region’s maternal and newborn mortality declining, but progress still slow). Therefore, there’s a strong call for targeted investments. We need more funding to train, deploy, and support midwives, nurses, and community health workers. These frontline workers are crucial, particularly in humanitarian settings where healthcare systems are often fractured (Maternal Deaths Drop By 40%, But Aid Cuts Threaten Hard-Won Gains – UN Warns). Without sustained commitment and resources, the hard-won gains could easily be reversed, leaving more families to face preventable heartbreak.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darius Spearman is a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College, where he has been teaching since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.