Motherhood Shouldn’t Be a Death Sentence: Maternal Mortality in Somalia
For every Somali mother who dies, there is a haunting truth: she deserved better. She deserved the chance to hold her baby, to watch her children grow, to live. But instead, she is silenced in the act of giving life. Today, Somalia’s maternal mortality rate remains one of the highest globally, with approximately more than 692 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, according to UNICEF. For comparison, this is nearly 50 times higher than in high-income countries. The majority of these deaths occur due to preventable or treatable causes, such as postpartum hemorrhage, infections, eclampsia, and obstructed labor etc. The healthcare system, however, is ill-equipped to address these complications. Maternal mortality is one of the most harrowing public health crises Somalia faces today. Despite the many advances in global healthcare, the country continues to witness devastatingly high rates of maternal deaths. This silent crisis reflects a complex interplay of historical, socio-politica...