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
\n7,000 newborn deaths, and more than 5,000 stillbirths, most of which are preventable.1-3 While progress
\nhas been made in reducing maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality and preventing stillbirths worldwide, inequities and gaps in quality of care persist4 and
\nare disproportionately most dire in countries affected by
\nconflict.5 In 2020, the coronavirus disease (COVID19) pandemic and response exposed multiple system
\nvulnerabilities, exacerbated inequities to accessing
\ncare, and caused widespread disruption in reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health services.6,7 Emerging evidence and modeling estimates
\nof the indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on
\nmaternal and newborn mortality in low- and
\nmiddle-income countries (LMICs) reflect a sobering
\npicture of what could lay ahead, with additional
\ndeaths estimated to be in the tens of thousands for
\nmothers and hundreds of thousands for stillbirths
\nand children aged under 5 years.3, 8-10 A dedicated,
\nfocused effort must be made to ensure maternal and
\nnewborn health (MNH) and prevention of stillbirths
\nremain a priority.