Recent trends in maternal healthcare are alarming, as substantial reductions in foreign aid threaten to reverse two decades of progress in reducing maternal mortality rates. On this International Mothers’ Day, evidence from the Central African Republic highlights the ongoing crisis, with experts warning that cuts to aid will have dire consequences for women and infants worldwide.
Reversal of Progress in Maternal Health
Over the last twenty years, global efforts to decrease preventable maternal deaths led to a remarkable 40 per cent reduction in mortality rates. However, new statistics from the World Health Organisation (WHO) indicate that this progress is faltering. Following drastic cuts in foreign aid from the United States and the United Kingdom, experts fear that maternal mortality rates will begin to climb once more.
In 2025, global aid fell by 23 per cent compared to the previous year, with projections indicating a further decline of 5.8 per cent in 2026. The drastic cuts initiated by Donald Trump’s administration in the U.S., which saw foreign assistance programmes slashed by 57 per cent, have been particularly impactful. Such funding reductions affect healthcare systems already strained by conflict and economic instability, especially in nations like the Central African Republic, which has the second-highest neonatal mortality rate globally.
The Human Cost of Aid Cuts
In the Central African Republic, the repercussions of these aid cuts are vivid and tragic. The civil war along the border with Sudan has compounded the crisis, leading to job losses for midwives, closure of mobile clinics, and a critical shortage of medical supplies. One resident, Busayna, shared her harrowing experience of nearly dying during childbirth due to a lack of resources. She had to travel to a clinic while in labour, with no money or food, reflecting the dire conditions many women face.
According to the WHO, the annual decline in the global maternal mortality rate has dropped to just 1.5 per cent between 2013 and 2023, significantly lower than the 2.6 per cent observed from 2000 to 2010. The current global maternal mortality rate stands at 197 deaths per 100,000 live births, with the majority of these fatalities attributed to preventable complications like severe bleeding and infections.
Scenarios of Increased Mortality
Research published in The Lancet this year predicts that the ongoing cuts to health programmes could lead to an additional 23 million deaths globally by 2030. A particular study focused on six vulnerable countries in West Africa, including Burkina Faso and Mali, estimated that maternal deaths could surge by an average of 45 per cent due to the cessation of USAID programmes. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for sustained support in regions where healthcare is already fragile.
In Central African Republic, where mobile health clinics funded by USAID were shut down, the impact has been devastating. Dr Ngonzo Lezin, who oversees a local hospital, noted the loss of 12 medical staff members, including vital midwives, due to funding cuts. He expressed deep concern that the community would regress to rudimentary practices, increasing the risks of maternal and infant deaths.
The Broader Implications of Funding Cuts
The Guttmacher Institute has estimated that the termination of health programmes by USAID could have led to 34,000 maternal deaths last year alone. Historical data suggest that maternal mortality rates tend to rise during Republican presidencies, correlating with cuts in family planning aid. A recent study indicated that such reductions are associated with an 11 per cent increase in maternal mortality, equating to approximately 45 additional deaths per 100,000 live births.
The UK is also witnessing a significant decrease in aid, with plans set to reduce bilateral support for African nations by 56 per cent over the next three years. Countries that are already grappling with humanitarian crises, such as Afghanistan and Yemen, will face similar reductions in support. The projected decline in total UK aid spending—from £10 billion in 2026-27 to £8.9 billion the following year—further exacerbates an already precarious situation.
Monica Ferro, head of the United Nations Population Fund’s London office, remarked on the devastating consequences of funding cuts. She stated, “When funding is cut, services are shut down and women die. It is that simple.” Ferro emphasised the need for immediate intervention to prevent a return to a time when maternal deaths were far more commonplace.
Why it Matters
The reversal of gains in maternal health is not merely a statistic; it reflects real lives at risk. As funding for essential health services diminishes, the promise of improved maternal health and dignity for women around the world hangs in the balance. The implications of this funding crisis extend beyond individual tragedies; they represent a global failure to uphold fundamental human rights. Without renewed commitment and support, the hard-won progress achieved over the past two decades may be lost, resulting in untold suffering for millions of women and their families.
