OUAGADOUGOU — Burkina Faso has achieved substantial reductions in maternal and perinatal mortality rates between 2010 and 2021, according to a report presented by the Council of Ministers on Wednesday. The report highlights a marked decrease in deaths among children under five, neonatal deaths, and maternal mortality, as well as a reduction in the national fertility rate.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the under-five mortality rate dropped from 129 to 48 deaths per 1,000 live births, while neonatal mortality decreased from 28 to 18 deaths per 1,000 live births. Maternal mortality also saw a significant decline, falling from 341 to 154 deaths per 100,000 mothers during this period. Additionally, the total fertility rate decreased from 6 to 4.9 children per woman.

The report attributes these improvements to the increased percentage of births occurring in health facilities, which rose from 66% in 2010 to 87.4% in 2021. Burkina Faso has been actively monitoring maternal and neonatal deaths since 2011, with the monitoring process extended to include stillbirths from 2022, following the recommendations of the World Health Organization.

The government, however, acknowledges that despite these advancements, the country has not yet met its objectives for maternal and perinatal health care. To address this, several strategies are being considered, including the activation of the Health Emergency Response Operations Center (CORUS), the management of obstetric complications and perinatal pathologies, and the procurement of vital health products for mothers and children.