HARGEISA, SOMALILAND — On a sunny morning of April 4, the Hargeisa Group Hospital, located in Somaliland, was bustling with activity as doctors and nurses rushed to attend to patients. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 810 women die every day from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth, with the majority of these deaths occurring in low-income countries with limited access to healthcare services (WHO, 2021). These deaths are often caused by complications such as severe bleeding, infections, hypertensive disorders, and unsafe abortions. The United Nations Population Fund together with local governments have been playing an important role on maternal mortality rates decline globally in recent years, and efforts are being made to improve access to quality healthcare services for pregnant women.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in partnership with the local government, has been implementing several initiatives to improve maternal healthcare and reduce maternal mortality rates in the country. These initiatives include providing training for midwives and other healthcare workers, improving access to family planning services, and strengthening Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (BEmONC) services. Specifically, UNFPA has supported the establishment of comprehensive BEmONC centers, including the one at Hargeisa Group Hospital, and GBV Stop Centers which provide critical healthcare services and support to women in the region who are survivors of gender-based violence.