Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, UK – In the journey towards improved maternal and newborn health globally, significant strides have been made over the years. However, the fight against preventable deaths during pregnancy and childbirth continues, leaving many vulnerable women and newborns at the mercy of inadequate healthcare systems and the lack of access to life-saving medications.
Tragically, the statistics speak for themselves – a woman loses her life every two minutes somewhere in the world due to complications related to pregnancy or childbirth. Furthermore, over 6,000 neonatal deaths occur daily within the first four weeks of life, with a concerning concentration of these fatalities in sub-Saharan Africa.
Despite commitments by the international community to reduce these unacceptable death tolls, progress has faltered in many resource-poor countries. While there are around 30 countries where maternal and newborn mortality rates are declining, the majority of nations are witnessing stagnation or regression in these vital indicators. The target of fewer than 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030, as outlined in the UN’s sustainable development goals, remains unmet as the global ratio stood at a sobering 223 per 100,000 in 2020.
Efforts to combat conditions like post-partum haemorrhage, a leading cause of maternal mortality, have been hindered by the lack of implementation of essential prevention and treatment strategies recommended by the World Health Organization. The imperative need for improved access to medications like oxytocin, crucial in managing severe bleeding, and the training of healthcare professionals to administer treatments effectively, cannot be overstated.
Addressing women’s health issues, such as severe bleeding, high blood pressure, pregnancy-related infections, and complications like HIV or malaria during pregnancy, necessitates a concerted global effort. Many of the leading causes of maternal deaths are preventable or treatable with simple, cost-effective interventions like antibiotics and medications to manage labor complications.
Pharmaceutical companies have a pivotal role to play in ensuring affordable access to essential medications. The industry’s response thus far has been fragmented and insufficient. With the capacity and resources at their disposal, pharmaceutical firms must step up to the plate to provide access to lifesaving products at scale and develop innovative delivery methods for treatments.
The challenge of post-partum haemorrhage underscores the need for improved access to crucial medications like oxytocin, highlighting the potential impact of local production in resource-poor regions. Additionally, research into heat-stable iterations and simpler modes of drug administration is imperative to enhance outcomes for mothers and newborns globally.
As the global healthcare community grapples with rising antimicrobial resistance, ensuring a comprehensive range of appropriate antibiotics is available is vital. Oral and injectable antibiotics play a critical role in managing infections post-childbirth, including the risk of life-threatening sepsis and congenital syphilis, which contributes to high stillbirth rates in Africa.
Challenging outdated attitudes and integrating medications like misoprostol into routine obstetric care can yield positive outcomes for maternal health. The global health community and pharmaceutical industry must collaborate to ensure that women, like Kaveri, have a better chance of bringing their babies safely into the world. The future of maternal and newborn health hinges on collective action and a dedication to effecting positive change on a global scale.