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Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), has called for reducing maternal mortality rates across the Americas, including in the Caribbean.
The PAHO report highlights a worrying reversal of progress in maternal health, with one maternal death every hour in 2020 in Latin America and the Caribbean.
This alarming statistic marks a major setback from two decades of progress in maternal health indicators in the region.
Health inequalities widen
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly exacerbated existing inequalities, particularly affecting women’s access to essential health services.
This situation led to a 15% increase in maternal mortality between 2016 and 2020.
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Despite high coverage of antenatal care and easy access to health facilities during childbirth, these figures contrast sharply with what would be expected given the region’s level of development.
Insufficient investment
With more than 90% of women receiving at least four antenatal visits and a high proportion of births occurring in health facilities with qualified care, the effectiveness of these services has been questioned.
Dr Barbosa stressed the need to explore why massive investments in health have not led to better outcomes, noting that socioeconomic, cultural, educational and environmental factors contribute to high maternal mortality rates.
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Strategic responses to maternal mortality
Dr. Barbosa urged strategies to address vulnerabilities and entrenched gender norms that affect women’s health status.
He recommended scaling up health systems based on primary health care as a key approach to ensuring universal health care and coverage, which is essential to reducing maternal deaths.
Working together to improve
The Pan American Health Organization has developed a Strategy for Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality, which provides a framework for action tailored to each country’s specific circumstances.
This strategy requires strong focus and commitment at the local level, with a particular focus on women who are in the most vulnerable situations.
The Director stressed the need for an all-inclusive approach involving academia, civil society and affected communities to mobilize the necessary resources for effective action.
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