WASHINGTON (CMC) — The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has warned that while the region of the Americas, including the Caribbean, has progressed towards reducing maternal mortality, challenges remain, requiring urgent efforts to ensure all women have access to quality maternal health care.

According to the United Nations report, Trends in maternal mortality estimates, there were 7,850 maternal deaths in the region in 2023, representing a 15.7 per cent decrease compared to the 9,210 deaths recorded in 2000, largely due to improved access to essential health services.

Latest News, Regional

Committee questions Jamaica’s treatment of undocumented migrants

April 11, 2025

GENEVA, Switzerland (CMC) — The Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families has raised questions on...

{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}

However, PAHO said the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in the Americas was 59 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023, which is still above the regional target of 30 deaths per 100,000 live births established by PAHO’s Sustainable Health Agenda for the Americas for 2030.

The organisation said although the Americas account for three per cent of the total maternal deaths worldwide, the region shows significant disparities in maternal mortality, with rates ranging from 10 deaths per 100,000 live births in Chile to 328 deaths in Haiti.

Lifestyle, Page2, Page2 Section, ...

The Style Issue, April 10, 2025

April 10, 2025

Waydamin Brand founder and CEO Jayda Cheaves’ semi-sheer orange Laquan Smith gown caused quite the stir last Thursday at the Black Arts Council Benefi...

{"xml":"xml"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}

Currently, five countries have very low MMR (under 20), 26 countries have low MMR (20 to 99), four countries have moderate MMR (100 to 299), and only one country has a high MMR (over 300).

“We cannot accept that, in a continent like ours, with high levels of development and investment, women continue to die during pregnancy, childbirth, the post-partum period, or that children continue to die or suffer from preventable diseases that will mark the rest of their lives,” said PAHO Director Jarbas Barbosa.

International News, Latest News, Regional

Immigration advocates condemn moves to share sensitive information on undocumented migrants

April 9, 2025

NEW YORK, United States (CMC) — Immigration advocates have condemned an agreement between the United States (US) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and th...

{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}

“Ensuring that every birth takes place in the best possible health conditions is not only the responsibility of health systems but also the duty of governments and each one of us,” he added.

Between 2000 and 2023, 29 countries in the Americas reduced their MMR, while seven countries experienced increases, although only in four of them were these increases statistically significant.