Maternal mortality in Nepal: Challenges, Efforts, and Recommendations

Maternal mortality remains a pressing public health challenge in Nepal, where many women continue to face fatal risks during pregnancy and childbirth. Despite improvements in recent years, Nepal lags behind many countries and risks missing the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 3. The nation’s healthcare system grapples with persistent issues, including political instability, inadequate funding, shortages of medical supplies, and a lack of trained healthcare workers. Additionally, limited education and awareness exacerbate maternal health complications. To overcome these barriers, it is crucial for Nepal’s government to collaborate with international organizations like the WHO, USAID, and PMNCH. Strengthening healthcare infrastructure, expanding maternal care services, and enhancing the training of healthcare professionals are vital steps forward. This article explores the current maternal mortality situation in Nepal, examining the underlying challenges, ongoing efforts, and offering recommendations for improvement to reduce maternal deaths and achieve sustainable progress.