فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
In a statement issued by the Moroccan Network for the Defense of the Right to Health and the Right to Life, on the occasion of World Health Day, which falls on April 7, 2025, under the slogan “A Healthy Start for a Promising Future,” the network warned of the continued high rates of maternal and infant mortality in Morocco, despite the progress made in this area.
The network, in its statement received by several media outlets, indicated that the current rates are still high compared to other countries in the region and the world, which calls for urgent and effective intervention from the concerned authorities.
Concerning Figures and Numerous Challenges
The network’s statement relied on data issued by the World Health Organization and UNICEF, which indicate that about 4.5 million mothers and infants die annually worldwide during pregnancy, childbirth, or in the first weeks of the infant’s life. In Morocco, although the maternal mortality rate decreased from 244 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2000 to 72.6 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020, this figure is still high compared to other countries in the region.
The network also noted a decline in the under-five mortality rate in Morocco, from 52 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2000 to 17 in 2022, while the infant mortality rate decreased from 64 deaths per 1,000 infants in 1990 to 15 in 2022.
The network attributed these tragic losses to common causes that can be prevented or treated, such as premature birth, severe bleeding, pregnancy-related high blood pressure, or diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malaria, in addition to birth complications, pneumonia, diarrhea, malnutrition, and delays in seeking medical care due to the lack of transportation or adequate health services, especially in remote areas.
Urgent Recommendations to Reduce Mortality and Improve Maternal and Infant Health
The Moroccan Network for the Defense of the Right to Health and the Right to Life called for urgent and effective measures to reduce maternal and infant mortality and improve the quality of life, through:
- Effective implementation of the National Strategy for Safe and Healthy Motherhood.
- Improving the social determinants of health, including education, nutrition, and living conditions.
- Strengthening the maintenance of health infrastructure and ensuring the regular availability of medicines and medical supplies.
- Providing high-quality healthcare free of charge to all women during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum.
- Supporting healthcare workers, including obstetricians, nurses, and midwives, and ensuring they receive appropriate training and equipment.
- Addressing health disparities between urban and rural areas, and promoting health and social equity.
- Investing in maternal and child health as an investment in the future of society.
The network stressed that joint efforts between the government, the Ministry of Health, health institutions, and civil society are necessary to reduce maternal and infant mortality, improve the quality of life, and ensure a healthier future for mothers and children in Morocco.
