The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has sounded the alarm over the escalating crisis in maternal and newborn health across the continent, revealing that nearly half of all child deaths under five years occur within the first 28 days of life.
In a recent statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the agency stressed that most of these deaths are preventable and stem from a lack of access to quality care during pregnancy, childbirth, and the critical postnatal period. In many low-resource settings, expectant mothers face daunting obstacles in accessing even the most basic health services.
“Many women are unable to receive routine antenatal check-ups, safe delivery services, or postnatal care due to inadequate facilities and staff,” the Africa CDC noted.
“These losses are not inevitable.”
In rural and peri-urban communities, the shortage of skilled midwives and obstetricians means that many women give birth without professional assistance.
Health centres are frequently underequipped, lacking sterile delivery kits, newborn resuscitation tools, and even reliable electricity.
In some cases, this forces health workers to improvise—or worse, to turn patients away.
Long distances to health facilities, poor road networks, and high transport costs further deter women from seeking urgent care, particularly in emergencies such as obstructed labour or preeclampsia.
Once discharged, many mothers and their newborns miss critical follow-up visits, immunisations, and breastfeeding support due to overstretched services and limited outreach.
The Africa CDC has called on African governments and development partners to urgently prioritise investments in maternal and newborn health.
Key among the recommended interventions are:
- – Expanding and equipping local clinics with trained personnel and essential supplies
- – Deploying mobile health teams and community health workers to provide antenatal and postnatal care at household level
- – Implementing emergency transport schemes such as subsidised ambulances or ride-sharing networks for expectant mothers
- – Strengthening surveillance and data systems to target the regions most affected by neonatal deaths
“Improving early childhood health starts with investing in mothers, communities, and basic services,” the agency stated.
“Safeguarding mothers is the first step toward securing healthier futures for Africa’s youngest citizens.”
As Africa grapples with high neonatal mortality rates, the Africa CDC’s message is both urgent and hopeful: change is possible, but only with decisive and sustained action.