Maternal health in West Africa: reducing mortality through innovation and policy

Business Insider

08-05-2025

Maternal health remains a pressing concern in West Africa, where the risk of death during pregnancy and childbirth is among the highest in the world. With high maternal mortality rates in some countries, the region is facing a crisis that endangers the health and well-being of women, families, and entire communities. Limited access to skilled healthcare providers, inadequate medical infrastructure, and deep-rooted socio-economic barriers have created an environment where preventable deaths continue to occur. However, a shift is underway. Across the region, innovative solutions and progressive policy reforms are transforming maternal healthcare, offering new hope for safer pregnancies and healthier mothers.
Yet, this transformation is not happening equally across all communities, the disparities between maternal health outcomes in urban and rural areas remain stark. While major cities in countries like Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal have well-equipped hospitals with trained professionals, millions of women in remote communities still lack access to quality care. Many must travel long distances to reach the nearest health facility, often without reliable transportation. Others rely on traditional birth attendants due to a shortage of skilled medical personnel, increasing the likelihood of complications. For many, the cost of maternal healthcare remains prohibitive, making essential services inaccessible. These challenges have fueled the need for innovative interventions that bridge gaps in care and ensure that all women, regardless of location or income level, receive the support they need.
Digital health solutions are playing a critical role in improving maternal healthcare across West Africa. Mobile health platforms are providing expectant mothers with crucial information on prenatal care, nutrition, and warning signs of complications. Telemedicine is also expanding access to maternal healthcare by enabling virtual consultations, reducing the burden of travel, and connecting women in remote areas with specialists.
Advancements in diagnostics are further improving outcomes by allowing for early detection of high-risk pregnancies. AI-powered ultrasound devices and portable diagnostic tools are making it easier for healthcare workers to monitor fetal development and identify potential complications in areas where access to traditional imaging services is limited. Additional, Life-saving innovations such as LifeBank's on-demand blood delivery service in Nigeria is also addressing postpartum hemorrhage, one of the leading causes of maternal mortality in the region.
Policy Reforms and Public-Private Partnerships
While technology is driving significant improvements, policy reforms and government-led initiatives remain vital in the fight against maternal mortality. Across West Africa, governments are implementing programs to provide free maternal healthcare services, making it easier for women to access essential prenatal and postnatal care. Ghana's Free Maternal Health Policy, for instance, has led to increased facility-based deliveries and a decline in maternal deaths. In Nigeria, efforts such as the Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) initiative have expanded access to care by removing financial barriers for expectant mothers.
Beyond government intervention, public-private partnerships are proving to be a game-changer. Collaborations between governments, NGOs, and private organizations are expanding the reach of maternal health programs and ensuring the availability of critical medical supplies. Organizations like the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Gates Foundation continue to provide funding and technical support for maternal health initiatives, ensuring that women have access to life-saving interventions such as oxytocin for preventing postpartum hemorrhage and magnesium sulfate for managing preeclampsia.
Midwifery training and the expansion of community health programs are also strengthening maternal healthcare systems. Countries like Sierra Leone, which suffered a major setback in maternal health services due to the Ebola crisis, have ramped up midwifery training to ensure that skilled professionals are present at every childbirth. Similarly, Nigeria has the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), which is a program that funds primary healthcare centers (PHCs) across Nigeria, ensuring that women in rural areas have access to essential maternal health services. The investment in community health workers is bridging gaps in service delivery, particularly in rural areas where hospitals and clinics are sparse.
The Role of Laboratory Science in Maternal Health
Laboratory science is playing an increasingly important role in maternal healthcare by improving prenatal and postnatal diagnostics. The use of advanced blood screening tools is helping identify conditions like anemia and infections that can put pregnant women at risk. Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is enabling early detection of genetic disorders, allowing for better preparation and management. Rapid diagnostic tests for malaria, HIV, and syphilis are ensuring that pregnant women receive timely treatment, reducing the risk of complications. By integrating laboratory science into maternal healthcare strategies, healthcare providers are improving the accuracy of diagnoses and ensuring that women receive the right treatment at the right time.
Strengthening Health Systems Through Collaboration and Innovation
Ensuring lasting progress in health outcomes across West Africa requires collaboration between multiple stakeholders, including governments, healthcare providers, researchers, and technology innovators. Investments in healthcare financing, digital infrastructure, and workforce development are essential to sustaining the momentum of ongoing initiatives. Expanding telehealth services, scaling up digital health platforms, and improving access to diagnostic tools will further strengthen healthcare systems and deliver better outcomes for diverse health challenges across the region.
WHX Lagos and WHX Labs Lagos will serve as critical platforms for advancing healthcare innovation and collaboration. These events will bring together healthcare professionals, policymakers, investors, and tech innovators to discuss scalable solutions for improving maternal health outcomes as well as addressing other pressing health concerns in West Africa. With a focus on knowledge exchange and partnership building, WHX Lagos will showcase cutting-edge maternal health solutions while also driving broader discussions on health policy reforms, system strengthening, and investment opportunities across the healthcare sector.
By providing a space for thought leadership and strategic networking, WHX Lagos 2025 will accelerate the implementation of high-impact health initiatives — from maternal health to broader system-wide improvements — ultimately reducing mortality rates, improving quality of care, and enhancing health equity across the region.
Reducing maternal mortality in West Africa remains a critical priority and demands a comprehensive approach that integrates innovation, policy reform, and strategic collaboration. While significant progress has been made, much work remains to ensure that all women, regardless of socio-economic status or geographic location, have access to safe, quality maternal healthcare. At the same time, building resilient healthcare systems that address a range of health challenges is vital for sustainable progress.
Events like WHX Lagos and WHX Labs Lagos provide a vital platform for driving this transformation, offering stakeholders the opportunity to engage, innovate, and commit to sustainable health solutions. As governments, organizations, and healthcare professionals continue to work towards ending preventable maternal deaths and improving health outcomes more broadly, the focus must remain on expanding access to life-saving care, investing in new technologies, and building stronger, more inclusive health systems. By prioritizing maternal health alongside broader healthcare development, West Africa can create a future where no woman — and no community — is left behind.