Understanding maternal deaths in Liberia

What is it about?

Maternal mortality refers to the death of women during pregnancy, childbirth, or within 42 days after giving birth. It shows how healthy mothers are and how good their healthcare is. Liberia, in west Africa, is one of the countries with the highest rates of maternal mortality. In this study, researchers looked at 35 cases of maternal deaths in Bong County in Liberia, to find out why so many mothers die in places like Liberia where resources are limited. Apart from medical problems, three main reasons were found: not having enough resources, poorly trained healthcare workers, and ineffective communication from healthcare facilities.

Featured Image

Photo by Iwaria Inc. on Unsplash

Photo by Iwaria Inc. on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Maternal mortality isn't just a health problem; it impacts families, communities, and societies. Maternal mortality shows the gap in healthcare access caused by poverty and other factors. By addressing resource shortages, improving healthcare training, and enhancing communication in healthcare settings, mothers' lives can be saved. This in turn can help improve child health, fight poverty, and build better societies. Understanding the hurdles women face during pregnancy is key to making healthcare better and saving lives in emerging economies. KEY TAKEAWAY: There is an urgent need to fix the issues faced by the healthcare system in Liberia. By doing this, maternal mortality rates can be lowered, leading to healthier mothers and babies not only in Liberia but also worldwide. Mothers’ health should be a global priority and care must be taken to create strong healthcare systems to ensure maternal welfare. This research relates to the following Sustainable Development Goals: • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being • SDG 1: No Poverty • SDG 5: Gender Equality • SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities • SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals