This World Health Day, the spotlight turns to one of the most fundamental building blocks of any society – the health and well-being of mothers and their newborns. Under the theme ‘Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,’ today marks the beginning of a global effort to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths, while also advocating for the sustained health and wellness of women long after childbirth.
According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), as many as 300,000 women are dying each year due to pregnancy or childbirth. In Barbados, the journey toward safer motherhood has seen notable progress, and those efforts must be commended. According to the Pan American Health Organization, in 2020, the country’s maternal mortality ratio was estimated at 39.1 deaths per 100,000 live births, 19.3 per cent lower than that recorded in 20 years prior. This is significantly better than the global average of 223 deaths per 100,000 live births, as reported by the WHO. Yet, we take no solace in that reality, for even one maternal death is one too many; for the fact is that behind every number is a woman, her family, and her community that is forever changed.
Statistics from the World Bank indicate that in 2022, Barbados’ neonatal mortality rate stood at approximately 7.1 deaths per 1,000 live births. This figure places the country among the better-performing nations within the Caribbean region. Globally, neonatal deaths remain alarmingly high. Data from UNICEF reveal that as of 2023, the average global neonatal mortality rate is 17 deaths per 1,000 live births, and most of these deaths are preventable. They are the result of infections, prematurity or complications during childbirth. No doubt, a greater effort needs to be made if we are to achieve the target of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.2, which aims to cut neonatal mortality to at least 12 deaths per 1,000 live births by 2030.
While access to skilled healthcare professionals during pregnancy and delivery has improved in Barbados, there are several small states, here in the Caribbean and elsewhere, where huge gaps still exist, particularly in rural or underserved communities where health literacy, transportation, and continuity of care is either inconsistent or simply lacking. Additionally, we must recognize that maternal health is not just about survival during childbirth. It is far more and includes mental health, management of chronic conditions, access to contraception, support during breastfeeding, and the prevention and treatment of postpartum complications.
This campaign, therefore, calls for a whole-of-society approach to maternal and newborn health. We must urge not only government agencies and healthcare providers but also communities, workplaces, and civil society to invest in the health of our women and their children. That means rethinking how we design services for expectant mothers and how we care for new mothers, listening to the very real lived experiences of women, and ensuring respectful, culturally appropriate care at every stage of their lives.
We must also push for stronger data collection and analysis. Far too many countries fall short in this area. Better data leads to better planning, and better planning will save lives. So, as we look ahead, let this World Health Day be more than a symbolic gesture; let it be a turning point. Healthier starts lead to stronger futures, not only for mothers and their babies but for entire nations.
