Maternal, infant mortality rate declined in the last 30 years in Ethiopia: research finding

Addis Ababa, December 22, 2022 (FBC) – Research findings revealed that maternal and infant mortality rates have decreased over the past 30 years in Ethiopia, according to the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI).

EPHI, in collaboration with the FDRE Ministry of Health and the Countdown 2030 Research Group, released a report on maternal and infant health care coverage and mortality reduction recorded in the last 30 years.

In the report, the research findings on the reduction of maternal and infant mortality in the years from 1990 to 2019 and from 2016 to 2020 were presented.

Minister of Health, Dr. Lia Tadese, said that the studies conducted by Countdown 2030 have contributed significantly to reducing maternal and infant mortality in the country in the last 30 years.

Ethiopia has implemented various policies and strategies focused on the health of reproductive infants and children. It has been shown in the study that maternal and infant mortality has been significantly reduced in 2000-2019.

The study confirmed that the mortality rate of 100,000 live births in 2000 was 1,030 to 401 in 2017. It has reportedly decreased by 61 percent, especially in the last 10 years from 2005 to 2017.

In addition, it has been indicated that infant mortality in Ethiopia has decreased from 140,000 in 2000 to 100,000 in 2019.

For children under 5 years of age, the mortality rate in 1990 was 31 percent. In 2010 it was 47 percent, and in 2019 it reached more than half (56 percent).

EPHI confirmed that the various activities that were conducted in the reduction of maternal and infant mortality have recorded better results.