UN Agency states Philippines Saw Close to 2,500 maternal deaths in 2021

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Philippines said that at least 2,478 women died due to childbirth in the Philippines in 202. The UN agency expressed concerns about the increasing number of maternal deaths in the Southeast Asian country.

"In the Philippines, we noticed an increase of maternal deaths during the past years: in 2019, 1,458 women died of maternal causes; this number increased to 2,478 in 2021," said Leila Saiji Joudane, UNFPA Philippines country representative.

"That is around six to seven Filipino women dying daily due to childbirth," she added. She also highlighted that more women die during pregnancy and childbirth when access to maternal health services is disrupted during emergencies.

14 percent of pregnant women in the Philippines do not get regular check-ups and other necessary medical care. An agency report also stated that one in 10 women do not give birth in health facilities or receive assistance from trained healthcare personnel during childbirth.

"Women die because sexual and reproductive health services are unavailable, inaccessible, unaffordable, or of poor quality," said Sajji. She also added that the major causes of maternal deaths in women in the Philippines is complications in pregnancy, childbirth & puerperium, eclampsia, pre-eclampsia, and hemorrhage.