Antenatal Group Care: A Pathway to Achieving SDGs through Peer Support and Maternal Health Improvements in LMICs

Maternal mortality is one of the main challenges present in low- and middle-income countries. In Pakistan, the MMR is still at a spike of 154 deaths per 100,000 live births, far away from the global target of 70. AGC, a model combining clinical assessments with structured peer support, has emerged as a high-impact intervention aligned directly with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) with SDG 5 (Gender Equality). Rigorous studies demonstrate that AGC models can reduce the risk of preterm births by up to 33% and significantly increase attendance at essential antenatal visits. Key challenges to implement in LMICs like Pakistan, as compared to HICs, include health system weaknesses and socio-cultural barriers. This commentary offers insights on integrating AGC with healthcare policies through stakeholder collaboration in order to further strengthen and promote sustainable, cost-effective, and scalable maternal health solutions. We recommend integrating AGC into national health policies, leveraging Pakistan’s extensive Lady Health Worker (LHW) program, and using digital health tools to create a sustainable solution to improve maternal health outcomes.