Maternal mortality refers to deaths due to complications from pregnancy or childbirth. From 2000 to
2017, the global maternal mortality ratio declined by 38 per cent – from 342 deaths to 211 deaths per
100,000 live births, according to UN inter-agency estimates. This translates into an average annual
rate of reduction of 2.9 per cent. While substantive, this is less than half the 6.4 per cent annual rate
needed to achieve the Sustainable Development global goal of 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live
births.
In Kenya the current Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of 362 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births,
and the still birth rate of 23 deaths per 1000 live births is far below the target of 147 maternal
mortalities per 100,000 live births and 12 stillbirths per 1000 live births respectively. In Garissa the
MMR is still high with 646 deaths per 100,000 live births while in Tana River also have a High
Maternal Mortality rate of 395/100,000 live births against a National 362/100,000 live births; High
Neonatal Mortality rate of 39/ 1000 live births National 29/100,000 live births (KDHS 2014)
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