In Ukraine, the risk of maternal mortality is increasing due to conflicts

• More than 75,000 women die during childbirth in Nigeria each year.
• The reduction in funding from the USA is limiting access to medical services.
• The renewed activity of Boko Haram increases risks for pregnant women.

CONDUGA, Nigeria — In Nigeria, more women die during childbirth than in any other country in the world. In the northeastern part of the country, risks are rising due to the renewed activity of Boko Haram militants and reduced financial support from the USA. Chronic underfunding leaves the largest country in Africa with one of the highest levels of maternal mortality in the world.

According to data from the World Health Organization, Nigeria accounts for more than a quarter of all maternal deaths in 2023 — that is 75,000 cases. In one of the most deprived regions of Nigeria, the state of Borno, women like Aisha Muhammad face serious problems during pregnancy. She survived an episode of eclampsia, but managed to get to the city of Maiduguri, where she was treated for severe complications.

In the context of rising violence and restricted access, medical workers face challenges in recruiting staff, and many of them have left the region due to insecurity. At the same time, the Nigerian government allocated an extra 200 million dollars for health care to compensate for the absence of funding from the USA.

Earlier, Nigeria received nearly 4 billion dollars in aid from the USA, but this support has significantly decreased, while the budget for health planning is expected to shrink by almost 97% by 2025. International donors have shifted their focus to other crises, such as the situation in Ukraine and Gaza, which has led to a reduction in resources for health care in Nigeria.

Tags: Well-being