Improving Maternal Health: PAHO and MSD’s Lifesaving Efforts in Latin America
In a crucial step toward improving maternal health, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and MSD (Merck & Co. Inc.) have launched a three-year initiative focusing on obstetric emergencies and unintended pregnancies in Latin America. With Honduras and Peru at the forefront, the project aims to save lives by reducing maternal mortality and improving healthcare systems across the region.
The Stark Reality of Maternal Mortality in Latin America
Maternal health continues to be one of the most pressing public health challenges in the Americas, especially in countries like Honduras and Peru. Despite improvements over the past decades, maternal mortality remains alarmingly high. In 2020, Latin America and the Caribbean saw 88 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births—an unacceptable figure when the regional target for 2030 is just 30. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these numbers by disrupting healthcare services, particularly for vulnerable women in rural and low-income areas.
The reality is sobering: approximately 8,400 women in Latin America die each year from preventable complications related to pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Behind each statistic lies a human story of loss and suffering. For instance, Maria, a 27-year-old mother in a rural community in Honduras, faced severe postpartum bleeding after giving birth. Her local health center lacked adequate facilities, and by the time she was transferred to a more capable hospital, it was too late to save her. Maria’s story is one of many that exemplify the gaps in maternal healthcare in the region.
PAHO and MSD’s joint project, “Responding to Obstetric Emergencies and Unintended Pregnancies 2024-2027,” is designed to tackle this issue. By focusing on emergency care and reducing unintended pregnancies, this initiative aims to make sure that more women like Maria can access the lifesaving healthcare they deserve.
Reducing Delays and Unintended Pregnancies
The PAHO-MSD initiative is a multifaceted approach that addresses two critical areas of maternal health: (1) preventing and reducing delays in recognizing and treating obstetric emergencies and (2) reducing unintended pregnancies and their associated health consequences. Both of these areas have proven to be significant contributors to maternal mortality in Latin America.
One of the most dangerous complications in maternal health is the delay in recognizing and treating emergencies such as hemorrhage or eclampsia. In these situations, time is of the essence, and any delay in accessing treatment can mean the difference between life and death. In many rural areas across Latin America, women like Maria face multiple barriers to timely care—poor road infrastructure, lack of transportation, and ill-equipped local clinics often mean that by the time they reach adequate care, it’s too late.
To address this, PAHO will train nearly 500 healthcare professionals, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to handle obstetric emergencies efficiently. From community health workers to doctors in larger hospitals, this training will help ensure timely recognition of danger signs during pregnancy and childbirth and improve referral systems to higher-level facilities when necessary.
The second critical focus is reducing unintended pregnancies, which often lead to unsafe abortions, higher maternal mortality rates, and increased health risks for women. Many women in rural areas lack access to contraceptive services or family planning information, leading to higher rates of unintended pregnancies. By expanding access to family planning services and improving reproductive health education, the initiative aims to empower women to take control of their reproductive health, ultimately reducing maternal mortality rates.
Examples and Success Stories from the Ground
One of the significant challenges in Latin America is reaching rural and indigenous populations, where healthcare infrastructure is often lacking. However, some countries have already begun implementing innovative strategies that could serve as models for the region. In Honduras, for example, community health workers have been deployed to remote areas to educate women about prenatal care, reproductive health, and the importance of delivering in healthcare facilities. This initiative has already shown promising results, with more women opting for facility-based deliveries, reducing the risks associated with home births.
In Peru, mobile clinics have been utilized to bring healthcare directly to women in the Amazon region, where hospitals are often inaccessible. Staffed by trained medical professionals, these clinics offer prenatal care, safe delivery services, and family planning counseling. These efforts have resulted in a 15% reduction in maternal mortality in the areas they serve over the past five years, proving that bringing healthcare to women can save lives.
In the context of the PAHO-MSD project, these success stories highlight the importance of tailoring healthcare interventions to meet the specific needs of local populations. By building on these models and adapting them to different regions, the project has the potential to significantly impact maternal health in Honduras, Peru, and, eventually, the broader Latin American region.
A Call for Systemic Change
While the PAHO-MSD initiative is a critical step forward, it is only part of a more significant effort to reduce maternal mortality in Latin America. Systemic changes are needed to ensure that women across the region have access to high-quality maternal care. This means investing in healthcare infrastructure, improving the supply of essential medicines and equipment, and addressing the social determinants of health contributing to maternal mortality, such as poverty, lack of education, and gender inequality.
Countries like Costa Rica have shown that with strong political will and investment in public health systems, maternal mortality can be significantly reduced. Costa Rica’s comprehensive maternal health program includes universal healthcare access, widespread education on reproductive health, and a robust network of maternal health clinics. As a result, Costa Rica has one of the lowest maternal mortality rates in Latin America, at just 27 deaths per 100,000 live births.
Governments and the international community need to sustainably commit to replicating these successes in countries like Honduras and Peru. PAHO’s partnership with MSD is a positive step, but more funding and support will be required to build lasting improvements in maternal health systems.
The project also aims to integrate community-level solutions into national health systems, ensuring that progress in reducing maternal mortality is sustainable. PAHO and MSD hope to create a model for maternal health that can be replicated across Latin America by working closely with local governments, healthcare providers, and civil society organizations.
Also read: Europe’s Alarming New Data Sheds Light on Latin America’s Deepening Crisis for Children
The PAHO-MSD initiative is a critical lifeline for thousands of women in Latin America. This partnership is paving the way for a safer future for mothers across the region by addressing the urgent need for better maternal health services in Honduras and Peru. However, the success of this project depends not only on immediate actions but also on long-term investments in healthcare systems, infrastructure, and community-based solutions. As the region strives to meet its 2030 maternal health targets, it is clear that every life saved is a step toward a healthier, more equitable future for all.
