/countries/new-caledonia-(france)/mother-and-child.tmb-1200v.jpg?sfvrsn=fc2ff348_1 "WHO Global Actions for World Health Day 2025: Prioritizing Maternal and Newborn Health")
WHO Global Actions for World Health Day 2025: Prioritizing Maternal and Newborn Health
- The World Health Organization (WHO) coordinated public advocacy actions across more than 100 global offices on April 7, 2025, to defend maternal and newborn health care services.
- The global mobilization involves Member States, health workers, civil society organizations, and donor agencies.
- WHO offices in the African region implemented a variety of clinical and advocacy efforts.
The World Health Organization (WHO) coordinated public advocacy actions across more than 100 global offices on April 7, 2025, to defend maternal and newborn health care services. The initiative, marking World Health Day 2025 under the theme Healthier beginnings, hopeful futures, responds to funding challenges that the WHO says are threatening critical health services and risking a backsliding of progress in ending maternal deaths.
The global mobilization involves Member States, health workers, civil society organizations, and donor agencies.
Maternal Health Initiatives Across Africa
WHO offices in the African region implemented a variety of clinical and advocacy efforts. In the Republic of the Congo, the Regional Director participated in a Walk the Talk event to launch a maternal death management system. Similarly, Liberia held a Walk the Talk event in coordination with its Ministry of Health.
Several nations focused on high-level policy and government engagement. The Central African Republic hosted a presidential-level celebration to launch a maternal health roadmap, while Zambia released a presidential video message regarding community outreach and maternal health partnerships. In the Republic of Sierra Leone, the First Lady visited a maternal hospital and conducted diplomatic tours of health monitoring facilities.
Other regional activities included:
- Burundi: A 10-day series of events including maternal health workshops, school disease screenings, and visits to refugee clinics.
- Côte d’Ivoire: Data showcases and exhibitions focused on the reproductive health of women with disabilities.
- Eritrea: Community visits to maternal waiting homes led by the Minister of Health.
- Guinea: Nationwide vaccination campaigns and free health consultations.
- Nigeria: A walk organized by WHO Nigeria and the Ministry of Health to sensitize the public on ending preventable maternal and newborn deaths.
- South Sudan: Dissemination of advocacy messages due to ongoing security concerns that prevented public events.
Americas and Western Pacific Regional Responses
In the Americas, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and WHO offices emphasized the implementation of specific health systems. The Bahamas launched the SIP+ maternal health initiative via a social media campaign and press conference, while Trinidad and Tobago published advertorials detailing SIP implementation success.
Colombia held a ministerial panel to reduce maternal mortality that featured both technical experts and traditional midwives. In Cuba, the Villa Clara province celebrated a record of zero maternal deaths through a scientific symposium and festival. Guatemala’s campaign launch took place at the national palace with participation from the vice president.
European and Eastern Mediterranean Developments
In the Eastern Mediterranean, Iraq established a Health Week with daily themes for community volunteers and youth. Oman integrated higher education institutions into maternal health initiatives through a multi-ministry response.