Maternal Deaths in Northern Nigeria Remain Critically High, WHO Warns
The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarm over the persistently high rate of maternal deaths in Africa, with Nigeria, particularly its northern region, bearing a significant burden. A newly released study published in The Lancet Global Health reveals that complications such as hemorrhage, severe bleeding, and hypertensive disorders like preeclampsia remain the leading causes of maternal deaths across the continent.
In 2020 alone, an estimated 287,000 women worldwide died from pregnancy-related complications, with sub-Saharan Africa accounting for a disproportionate share of these deaths. Nigeria, which has one of the highest maternal mortality rates globally, continues to struggle with providing adequate healthcare for pregnant women, especially in rural and underserved areas.
Key Findings from the WHO Study
The WHO study highlights that excessive bleeding during or after childbirth is responsible for nearly one-third of maternal deaths, while hypertensive disorders, including preeclampsia, account for an additional 16%. Other critical factors contributing to maternal deaths include 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, emphasized that most of these deaths are preventable with timely medical intervention and improved maternal healthcare services. She called on African governments, including Nigeria, to strengthen key aspects of maternity care, such as antenatal services, skilled birth attendance, and emergency obstetric care.
Northern Nigeria: A Crisis Zone
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, grapples with inadequate healthcare facilities, cultural barriers, poverty, and insecurity, all of which exacerbate the crisis.
According to the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) and WHO reports, Nigeria accounts for nearly 20% of global maternal deaths. In northern 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 are the most affected, with maternal death rates three to five times higher than in urban centers.
Root Causes of Maternal Deaths
The leading causes of maternal deaths in northern Nigeria 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.
Women in these areas often face significant delays in receiving medical care, as they must travel long distances to reach hospitals. These delays frequently prove fatal, highlighting the urgent need for improved healthcare infrastructure and services.
WHO’s Call for Action
The WHO study underscores the importance of postnatal care, noting that most maternal deaths occur during or shortly after childbirth. However, 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, emphasized the need for a holistic approach to maternal health. She noted that conditions like preeclampsia can increase the likelihood of severe bleeding and other life-threatening complications long after childbirth.
Global and Local Initiatives
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. Additionally, 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 emphasize reducing maternal deaths, improving postnatal care, providing mental health support, and ensuring access to quality reproductive health services for African women.
Looking Ahead
The high rate of maternal deaths in northern Nigeria underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to address the root causes of the crisis. Stakeholders are calling for increased investment in healthcare infrastructure, training of skilled birth attendants, and public awareness campaigns to educate women about pregnancy-related risks.
The WHO’s findings and initiatives offer a roadmap for action, but sustained efforts and collaboration among governments, international organizations, and local communities will be critical to achieving meaningful progress. For now, the plight of women in northern Nigeria serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of inadequate healthcare and the urgent need for change.
