Maternal Mortality Soars Amid Conflict and Healthcare Collapse in Northeast Nigeria

Maternal Mortality Soars Amid Conflict and Healthcare Collapse in Northeast Nigeria
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In northeastern Nigeria, maternal health is in crisis as conflict, funding shortfalls, and a crumbling healthcare system leave expectant mothers at severe risk, according to a report by the Associated Press. The region, particularly Borno State, is grappling with some of the highest maternal mortality rates globally, worsened by insecurity and a lack of basic medical services.

Pregnant women often face life-threatening complications with little or no access to care. In many rural areas, clinics are unequipped and understaffed, with the nearest functioning hospitals often located far away in conflict zones. Severe pregnancy complications like eclampsia frequently go untreated, forcing women to undertake dangerous journeys for medical assistance.

Nigeria leads the world in maternal deaths, with over 75,000 reported in 2023, according to the World Health Organization. One in every 100 women dies during childbirth, largely due to inadequate healthcare infrastructure serving a population of over 220 million.

The situation has deteriorated following the withdrawal of major foreign aid, including hundreds of millions of dollars previously provided by the United States. At the same time, violent insurgency from armed groups has forced aid agencies and healthcare workers to flee many areas, leaving communities without essential support.

Though the Nigerian government has allocated $200 million in emergency health funding, local authorities acknowledge that insecurity and poor working conditions have made it nearly impossible to recruit qualified medical staff. In some regions, doctors earn as little as $99 per month, and clinics operate with minimal resources.

Hospitals in several towns have been destroyed or shut down due to violence. Mobile clinics now serve as the only option in many communities but are often under-resourced. Compounding the crisis, Nigeria’s family planning budget has been slashed by nearly 97% in 2025, limiting access to contraceptives and increasing unplanned pregnancies.

With international donors redirecting attention to other global crises, hopes for improved maternal care in northeast Nigeria remain uncertain. Women in the region continue to call for basic healthcare access—trained staff, medicine, functioning facilities, and safe roads—critical needs that could save countless lives.