Maternal mortality in Africa: Doctors from Senegal, Burkina Faso and the DRC trained to influence public policies

At a time when Africa still accounts for nearly 70% of maternal deaths worldwide, ENDA Santé is bringing together leaders of health professional associations from Senegal, Burkina Faso and the Democratic Republic of Congo to strengthen leadership and advocacy to accelerate the reduction of maternal, neonatal and infant mortality.

This regional workshop, which is being held from May 18 to 20, is part of a program supported by the Gates Foundation and implemented since 2022 in the three partner countries.

Despite progress made globally, the figures remain alarming in Africa. According to United Nations estimates published in 2025, maternal mortality in the region remains well above the Sustainable Development Goals, with approximately 442 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023. The main causes remain hemorrhages, infections, hypertensive disorders related to pregnancy, and complications during childbirth.

Faced with this situation, ENDA Santé is counting on the strategic role of professional health associations to influence public policies and improve access to care for the most vulnerable populations.

Dr. Papa Djibril Ndoye, deputy director of Enda-Santé, explains that the program is based on three main pillars: maternal and child health, nutrition, and vaccination. "The knowledge already exists among healthcare professionals, but it is important to strengthen their leadership skills so that they can convince policymakers and mobilize more people around health priorities," he said.

According to him, this training aims to equip associations with the necessary skills in communication, negotiation and advocacy so that they can fully play their role in the development and implementation of health policies.

In Burkina Faso, the results are already beginning to be felt. Benoit Kafando highlighted the progress achieved thanks to projects led by the Nurses' Association and the Society of Gynecologists and Obstetricians.

One of the major projects involves introducing multiple micronutrients for pregnant women, as a replacement for iron and folic acid, which is considered insufficient. A scaling-up plan has already been developed, although securing the necessary funding remains a significant challenge.

Another argument focuses on the introduction of carbetocin to combat postpartum hemorrhage, a leading cause of maternal mortality. This molecule has the advantage of not requiring a cold chain, unlike some currently used treatments.

"If the funding is mobilized, the impact on reducing maternal mortality will be considerable," argued Benoit Kafando.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the associations involved in the program have also recorded several institutional advances. Bogol Mbope Mweng revealed that several associations have signed direct partnerships with the Ministry of Health through various national programs, particularly in the areas of vaccination, reproductive health, and nutrition.

He also points out that the project has helped to accelerate discussions around the integration of multi-micronutrients (MMS) into the country's list of essential medicines.

"This project has enabled associations to understand that they can themselves design and carry out public health initiatives and not simply execute activities defined by partners," he stated.

However, several constraints persist, particularly in conflict-affected areas in the DRC, where access remains difficult for health actors.

Through this regional meeting, the organizers aim to transform health professionals into true agents of change capable of sustainably influencing public policies and contributing to better care for women and children in African health systems.