Mothers Around the World

Maternal Health Around the World

Women and children are among the world's most vulnerable populations, disproportionately affected by illness, poverty, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Millions of pregnant women, new mothers, and children experience severe illness or death each year, largely from preventable or treatable causes. The global numbers are staggering and offer a snapshot of maternal health:

• 295,000 women die each year during pregnancy and childbirth
• 5.3 million children under age five die each year from preventable or treatable causes
• 99% of all maternal and child deaths occur in less developed regions, with Africa being the hardest hit
• 28% of maternal deaths are due to diseases that complicate pregnancy, including malaria and HIV
• 35% of newborn deaths are due to complications from premature births

Since 1990, maternal mortality has fallen substantially thanks to increased attention through advocacy and resources. However, there is growing concern for maternal health access, especially now during COVID-19.

Women have been deeply affected by COVID-19.

The pandemic has restricted women’s access to maternal healthcare due to lockdowns, disruption of health care services, and fear of visiting health care facilities. Limited resources have been reallocated to COVID-19 efforts with many countries struggling to provide essential health services like maternal care. Early studies suggest global maternal and fetal outcomes have worsened during the pandemic, with an increase in maternal deaths and stillbirths.

Every woman deserves the safest pregnancy and delivery possible—even during a pandemic.

From Haiti and Kenya to Peru, South Sudan, and Zambia, CMMB has continued providing quality and safe health services for mothers during the pandemic. We know that skilled care before, during and after childbirth can save the lives of women and newborns. We believe access to quality healthcare is a basic human right.

Safe Motherhood for South Sudanese Women

According to UNICEF, South Sudan has one of the worst maternal mortality rates in the world. Among the greatest barriers to safe pregnancies and births is a lack of skilled birth attendants.

Sarah Rubino is a nurse midwife and CMMB volunteer who served in Nzara, South Sudan twice, alongside her husband, Martin. As she eagerly awaits the arrival of her second child, Sarah shared this reflection.

As this little baby grows inside of me, I am constantly reminded of all the mothers that I feel I have left behind in Nzara. Although my husband and I had to change our plans slightly for the birth of our second child, COVID-19 largely had left us unaffected. Mothers in Nzara are left in more dangerous situations.

We are struck with the realization that COVID-19 has impacted the community in largely the same way as other deadly diseases. Children are still dying from starvation and complications of malaria. However, COVID-19 placed another burden on the village, not just because of the disease itself, but because of how it has affected nearly every corner of our world. Supplies are much harder to get, and staff have become increasingly overworked.

Now more than ever mothers in South Sudan need our support, yet I feel utterly helpless at times because I am unable to go and support my fellow midwives through volunteering.

For mothers in Nzara, most aspects of their lives are completely out of their control. Whether it be from war, unstable government, lack of resources, or disease, the people of Nzara face extreme hardships and are confronted with the fragility of life every day.

Despite the many current challenges, CMMB set up remote volunteer education programs to support staff and build capacity in areas where we are still unable to travel. Virtually speaking to college students, we continue connecting with future medical and humanitarian persons willing to advance CMMB’s mission.

A Peruvian Mother Learns from Her Daughter with Special Needs

Over the last 20 years, Peru has made significant progress in improving the health of women and children. However, this progress has largely bypassed remote rural regions and the most vulnerable women and children.

CCMMB's Rehabilitation with Hope assists children with physical and cognitive disabilities and their families by providing much-needed access to quality therapy. CMMB sat down with a mother enrolled in the project, Andrea, and her daughter, Leslie.

Leslie is the oldest child of three. She is special, but not because she was born with microcephaly, a rare neurological condition in which an infant's head is significantly smaller than expected. Leslie is special because she's capable of making you see things from a completely different perspective—a perspective not everyone can see.

Andrea is leader and mother in her rural village in Trujillo Province in northwest Peru. She is a community health agent and a part of the entrepreneurship workshop established by CMMB's Rehabilitation with Hope project.

"We, as mothers of children with special needs, must not give up," said Andrea. "We must look ahead and see that with effort and perseverance everything can be achieved."

Supporting Displaced Mothers in War-torn Syria

After ten years of brutal war, Syria remains one of the largest and most deadly humanitarian crises of our lifetime with an estimated 500,00 people killed and 6.1 million more internally displaced today.

Through our Medical Donations Program, CMMB responds to some of the worst humanitarian crises and natural disasters around the world. In 2020, CMMB distributed more than $420 million worth of medicines and medicals supplies to 52 health partners in 31 countries.

CMMB's partners in Syria are among the largest relief recipients to support the decimated healthcare system.

The deliberate bombing of hospitals and killing of doctors has been one of the most brutal aspects of the war. Donated medicines and medical supplies help rebuild the capacity of hospitals and health facilities, allowing health workers to respond more effectively to patient needs and improve overall quality of care.

Women and children living in internally displaced persons camps are the most at risk.

Forced to leave their belongings when fleeing their homes, these families face a persistent lack of basic needs, including access to clean water, food, and shelter. They have very limited or no access to basic health care. In response, our health partners in Syria have increased delivery of medical care for women and children in camps.