This archive report was first published on 18 June 2020.
Maternal Health in Africa: A Growing Concern ¶
The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in the African Region has shown significant decline from 857 maternal deaths per 1000 live births in 2000 to 525 deaths per 1000 live births in 2017, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
However, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought new challenges to the region, with over 6,000 fatalities recorded as of June 16, 2020. The pandemic has negatively affected sexual and reproductive health and rights, making it essential for countries to accelerate the decline of maternal mortality by 2030.
Through Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3, the ambitious target is to reduce the global MMR to less than 70 per 100,000 births, with no country having a maternal mortality rate of more than twice the global average.
Kenya, for instance, continues to face challenges in maternal healthcare, despite the government's efforts to offer free maternity services. Affordable pre-natal, delivery, post-natal, and infant care packages remain a significant concern for expectant women.
Stakeholders' Forum on SRHR ¶
A virtual stakeholders' forum, facilitated by New Faces New Voices (NFNV) Kenya, brought together representatives from the United Nations' Population Fund – Kenya, World Bank – IFC, African Youth and Adolescent Network, and Global Fund for Women to discuss current trends in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).
Dr. Njeri Gitau, World Bank – IFC Health Programme Manager, emphasized the importance of quality maternal and child healthcare, highlighting the need for trained personnel, availability of drugs, and equipment as set by the Ministry of Health.
Dr. Gitau noted that the Linda Mama initiative, in conjunction with the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), has worked closely with the Government of Kenya to ensure free maternity healthcare packages and universal health coverage for comprehensive reproductive, maternal, and infant health care.
Erin Williams, Global Fund for Women Program Director for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, disclosed that women and girls in most communities across Africa lack access to sanitary facilities, which are either unavailable, limited, or unaffordable.
Seif Ibrahim from African Youth and Adolescent Network highlighted the need for capacity building for both men and women to embrace menstrual hygiene conversations, citing the taboo surrounding menstrual health issues in Tanzania.
UNFPA – Kenya representative Dr. Ademola Olajide emphasized the need to address cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) amidst the pandemic, citing a spike in cases of rape, intimate partner violence, and defilement, especially among women and girls.
Dr. Olajide called for industry players to create alternative safe spaces for GBV victims, beginning with homes where families spend more time during the pandemic.
