Gaborone: As the world marked World Health Day on April 7, 2025, Botswana took the opportunity to reflect on its progress in maternal health and reaffirm its commitment to eliminating preventable maternal and newborn deaths. The event, co-hosted by WHO Botswana and the Ministry of Health, gathered government officials, health experts, development partners, and citizens under the theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures.”
According to African Press Organization, maternal health consultant Dr. Morrison Sinvula delivered a poignant call to action at the event. He highlighted the importance of maternal health to national prosperity, emphasizing that many women still face dangerous journeys to motherhood. Dr. Sinvula recounted Botswana’s progress, noting that the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) decreased from 400 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1980 to 127 in 2015, thanks to interventions such as free maternal services, expanded antenatal care, and improved emergency response systems. However, progress stalled
between 2016 and 2019, with the MMR rising to 200 during the COVID-19 pandemic. This increase translated to 128 pregnancy-related maternal deaths over two years, with postpartum hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders, and delays in accessing care identified as leading, preventable causes. Dr. Sinvula urged immediate action, asserting that the necessary knowledge, resources, and will are available.
WHO Botswana Officer-in-Charge, Dr. Juliet Bataringaya, echoed the urgency of the situation, emphasizing that every seven seconds, a mother or child dies a preventable death globally. She pointed to new WHO data indicating that four out of five countries are on track to miss global maternal survival goals by 2030, with 65 countries, predominantly in Africa, off track on newborn death reduction targets. In Africa, 20 mothers and 100 newborns die each hour. Dr. Bataringaya stressed the crisis requires decisive action, despite improvements like better-trained health workers and digital innovations. She warned that underfu
nded systems, infrastructure gaps, and climate-related shocks are hindering progress.
As Botswana works towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of fewer than 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030, the message from World Health Day was unequivocal: maternal health is a right, not a privilege. Achieving this goal will require political will, partnerships, and community involvement.