Ethiopia Achieves Significant Reduction in Maternal, Infant Mortality: Ministry of Health

Addis Ababa, January 9, 2026 (ENA)— Ethiopia has made notable progress in lowering maternal and infant mortality through sustained policy efforts and long-term investments in the health sector, the Ministry of Health announced.

Marking Healthy Motherhood Month this January, Minister of Health Dr. Mekdes Daba highlighted a significant increase in the number of women giving birth at health facilities, attributing this to improved access and growing public trust in the health system.

This year marks the 39th global observance and the 20th in Ethiopia of Healthy Motherhood Month, themed “Innovative and Sustainable Financing for Healthy Motherhood.”

The Ministry officially launched the 20th nationwide Safe Motherhood Month under the same theme, reaffirming Ethiopia’s commitment to protecting mothers and newborns.

“The expansion of maternal health services and strengthening of delivery care are producing encouraging results,” Dr. Mekdes said.

She pointed out that the introduction and scale-up of surgical services at health institutions have been crucial to better maternal outcomes, and prenatal care coverage has steadily increased nationwide alongside improved access to facilities.

The minister also emphasized the vital role of voluntary blood donors in preventing postpartum hemorrhage, a leading cause of maternal deaths.

“The rising number of voluntary blood donors has been instrumental in saving mothers’ lives,” she said.

While acknowledging the progress, Dr. Mekdes stressed the importance of continuing efforts, underscoring that innovation and sustainable financing are key to sustaining and accelerating gains in maternal and newborn health.

“We will keep working with stakeholders to expand digital health information systems, ensure the availability of medical resources, and scale up surgical services,” she added.

Healthy motherhood encompasses the wellbeing of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.

 

 

The month-long campaign reflects two decades of advancements in maternal and newborn care, calling for enhanced collaboration, financing, and locally driven solutions to secure the health of every mother and child.

Dr. Mekdes noted, “We have achieved remarkable progress in expanding and improving maternal and newborn health services across Ethiopia.”

She credited sustained government investment for these results, adding, “Our efforts to protect mothers and their babies are clearly yielding success.”

Currently, over 61 percent of pregnant women safely deliver at health facilities, a milestone attributed to dedicated frontline health workers and strong community engagement.

Maternal care before, during, and after childbirth has improved nationally, supported by referral systems that swiftly transfer mothers from health posts to hospitals.

Postpartum hemorrhage, once a leading cause of maternal death, has significantly declined due to continuous system improvements.

“This year’s theme reflects our firm commitment to reducing maternal and newborn deaths and ensuring access to health care for all,” Dr. Mekdes emphasized.

She also reported a sharp drop in maternal mortality over the past two decades, bringing Ethiopia closer to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Highlighting the importance of emergency care, she noted its wide-reaching social and economic benefits.

To maintain these gains, the ministry is deploying ambulances nationwide and expanding blood banks in multiple cities.

The minister urged investors and partners to support domestic production of medical supplies.

“Now is the time for local manufacturers to replace imports with quality products made at home, building resilient health systems that save future generations,” she said.

She concluded by affirming that sustainable financing and homegrown solutions remain vital for the country’s continued progress.

Safe Motherhood Month stands as a symbol of hope, showing that innovation, partnership, and investment can secure healthier futures for generations to come, she added.