Queen Mary of Denmark is supporting a new program to make childbirth safer for 10 million women across Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) announced in Nigeria. The UN agency and Danish NGO Maternity Foundation launched the 10 Million Safer Births program on June 24. Sub-Saharan Africa has 70% of all maternal deaths worldwide.
Maternal deaths dropped 40% globally since 2000, but progress has stalled. Multiple crises now threaten to undo these gains. For every woman who dies, 20-30 others suffer serious disabilities that could have been prevented. The Queen said no woman should risk her life to give life when she announced her support.
The first phase will help midwives and health workers in Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Tanzania through the Safe Delivery+ program. This includes a free mobile app that gives healthcare workers access to video guides and instructions for handling emergencies and routine care. The app helps them prevent or manage life-threatening situations better, improving survival rates for mothers and babies.
Denmark is putting in DKK 32 million ($4.9 million) and the Gates Foundation plans to add $1.5 million. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said every woman has the right to give birth safely. Dr. Paulin Basinga from the Gates Foundation said too many women in Africa face life-threatening risks in childbirth simply because of where they live.
UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem said access to quality midwifery care can spell the difference between life and death for women and their babies. The program will give midwives the tools to save lives in some of the most challenging settings.
