Professionals urged to collaborate more to bridge gaps in maternal care
Malawi’s obstetricians, gynaecologists, researchers, and stakeholders in maternal and new-born health were urged to identify existing gaps in maternal care and explore strategies to address them to reduce mortality rates. This call was by made by Dr. Jeff K. Mathe, a Seed Global Health visiting faculty, during the annual scientific meeting organized by the Association of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Malawi (AOGM), held from November 30 to December 1, 2024, in Mangochi.
The meeting, themed “Inclusive and Equitable Obstetric and Gynaecological Care: Bridging Gaps in Women’s Health for a Healthier Malawi,” aligned with the association’s mandate. AOGM was launched in 2016 and aims to uphold high clinical and ethical standards to ultimately improve the lives of women in Malawi.
The event attracted hundreds of professionals eager to share knowledge and learn from presenters and each other about ending maternal and new-born mortality in the country.
Dr. Mathe delivered the keynote presentation emphasizing the importance of working together to bridge the gaps in maternal and new-born health and making quality care accessible to all.
He highlighted Malawi’s progress in reducing maternal mortality and increasing access to antenatal care. According to media reports citing Ministry of Health data, the maternal mortality rate dropped from 400 to about 380 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2024. This improvement drew the attention of other countries such as Liberia with their Minister of Health visiting in November 2024 to learn from Malawi’s experiences in reducing maternal mortality.
Despite these gains, Dr. Mathe acknowledged significant challenges. He pointed out the disparities in healthcare access between rural and urban communities, long distances women must walk to reach health facilities, a shortage of trained personnel, and limited essential medicines and equipment.
“There are also social barriers and deep-rooted cultural beliefs that prevent women from seeking timely reproductive health services,” Dr. Mathe explained. These issues disproportionately affect adolescents, women with disabilities, and those living in poverty.
He urged participants to think of ways to strengthen Malawi’s healthcare system to be more inclusive, ensuring all women regardless of their social, economic, or geographical background have access to care. Dr. Mathe also encouraged professionals to learn from the successes of other countries. He cited Rwanda’s community health workers, who deliver maternal care in remote areas, Bangladesh’s use of telemedicine to connect community clinics with specialists, and Sri Lanka’s skilling of birth attendants in local communities.
He spotlighted Seed Global Health’s efforts to build the next generation of skilled health workers, with a focus on training more obstetricians and gynaecologists. “If we have more specialists spread equitably across the country, more women will access quality care when they need it,” he said.
In his conclusion, Dr. Mathe stressed the need for collaboration across sectors including healthcare professionals, educators, social workers, community leaders, the private sector, and policymakers. He reminded participants that their role as obstetrics and gynaecology professionals is to advocate for change, embrace a holistic approach to sexual and reproductive health, and work towards building a system that truly serves the needs of all Malawian women.
