According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), maternal health refers to “the health of women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. While motherhood is often a positive and fulfilling experience, for too many women it is associated with suffering, ill‐health and even death. The major direct causes of maternal morbidity and mortality include haemorrhage, infection, high blood pressure, unsafe abortion, and obstructed labour”.

As is clear from the above, maternal health is by no means guaranteed. Research conducted by the WHO indicates that this perilous state of affairs, particularly in sub‐Saharan Africa, is a consequence of limited access to both skilled routine and emergency care. There is a paucity of primary health services and very little in the way of crisis intervention and treatment in the public health sector. This lack compromises the health and well‐being of both mothers and their children.

Written by Lois Law, Researcher at the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference Parliamentary Liaison Office (CPLO)