Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures

“Maternal mortality is a serious public health problem rooted in social inequities. It has enormous health and economic implications for families and communities. We must urgently act together to eradicate preventable maternal deaths once and for all.”- Dr Edgar Iván Ortiz Lizcano. Alarmingly, close to 300 000 women lose their lives due to pregnancy or childbirth annually, while over 2 million babies die in their first month of life and around 2 million more are stillborn. That is roughly 1 preventable death every 7 seconds. Around 8,400 women die each year in Latin America and the Caribbean from complications in pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. High blood pressure, severe bleeding and unsafe abortion practices are the most common causes. However, nine out of ten of these deaths are preventable through access to quality care and contraception. Jamaica experienced its highest rate of women dying from complications with pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. In fact, the maternal mortality rate that year was over 200 per 100,000 live births, a more than doubling of the country’s rate which is around 100 per 100,000 live births each year. The World Health Organization (WHO) advises that based on current trends, a staggering 4 out of 5 countries are off track to meet targets for improving maternal survival by 2030. 1 in 3 will fail to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal's (SDG) targets for reducing newborn deaths. Inequalities persist, especially among vulnerable populations, exacerbated by the climate crisis. In order to meet the SDG 3 targets by 2030, substantial investment and focus are needed to address these challenges, including tackling inequality and environmental factors. Additionally, global drug-related treatment coverage has decreased from approximately 11% in 2015 to fewer than 9% in 2022. Alarmingly, treatment coverage for women consistently lags behind that for men across all regions. In 2022, over 13% of men with drug use disorders received treatment globally, while less than 6% of women did. World Health Day which is observed annually on April 7 will this year focus on preventable maternal and newborn deaths, and prioritize women’s longer-term health and well-being. The global campaign is “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures.” Among the goals of the campaign are to raise awareness about gaps in maternal and newborn survival and the need to prioritize women’s longer-term well-being. Secondly, to advocate for effective investments that improve the health of women and babies. Thirdly, to encourage collective action to support parents as well as health professionals who provide critical care and finally to provide useful health information relating to pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period. Women and families everywhere need high quality care that supports them physically and emotionally, before, during and after birth. Health systems must evolve to manage the many health issues that impact maternal and newborn health. These not only include direct obstetric complications but also mental health conditions, non-communicable diseases and family planning. Women in War Zones . Women and girls caught in conflict zones has skyrocketed in the past year, with women now making up 40 per cent of all civilian deaths in armed conflicts. Today, over 600 million women and girls live in areas affected by violence, an alarming 50 per cent increase since 2017. As conflict intensifies across the globe, women and girls are bearing a heavy mental health toll. From Afghanistan and Gaza to Georgia and Ukraine, millions are grappling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression and trauma, with limited access to support and care. The gap between high and low-income countries in mental health services is stark. In wealthy nations, there are more than 70 mental health workers for every 100,000 people. In contrast, in low-income countries, that number drops to less than one. In Gaza, relentless bombing, displacement, and deprivation have created a humanitarian catastrophe. Living under siege and the constant threat of violence, women and girls face extreme levels of fear, trauma, and exhaustion. Afghanistan: Women Erased From Public Life . The return of the Taliban in 2021 has dealt a crushing blow to women’s rights and mental health. Alison Davidian, UN Women’s Country Representative, warns that nearly four years of Taliban decrees have “eviscerated” women’s autonomy. With no women in leadership roles and 98 per cent reporting no influence over local decisions, many feel trapped in a life of isolation and despair. “Three years ago, an Afghan woman could run for president. Now, she may not even be able to decide when to buy groceries,” Davidian says. The result is overwhelming psychological distress, with 68 per cent of women in Afghanistan reporting their mental health as "bad" or "very bad." It is critical that maternal services during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period are accessible to enhance women’s overall health by improving access to family planning services, as well as preventing underlying health conditions. Undoubtedly, urgent action is required to defend vulnerable groups and regions with high disease burdens. Given that in many countries women are treated with indignation and discrimination, it is rather fitting that World Health Day is zeroing on global health with an emphasis on the particular vulnerabilities faced by women and girls. In order for the international community to have a hopeful future, governments must embark on a path to increase investments targeting the most vulnerable groups. In the words of Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director, when a mother dies in pregnancy or childbirth, her baby’s life is also at risk. Too often, both are lost to causes we know how to prevent. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo © #WorldHealthDay #HealthyBeginningsHopefulFutures