“She was afraid of dying in childbirth, of leaving her children motherless.” – From Half of a Yellow Sun, by Chimimanda Ngozi Adichie.1 In Half of a Yellow Sun, novelist Chimimanda Ngozi Adichie tells the story of Olanna, a professor whose lived experience as a woman collides with conflict during the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970). In this story, the war over Biafra badly disrupted medical services and civil society, critically endangering the lives of women and their children. Olanna is a fictional character, but her story is not. In fact, it remains the case that too many women across Africa live their lives exposed to the triple-jeopardy of poverty, poor health services, and war. Shortly after the Biafran war, two estimates were published reporting on Nigeria’s maternal mortality ratio (MMR, which is technically a rate, not a ratio). Between 1970 and 1976, the MMR was estimated at somewhere between 40 and 1,970 deaths for every 100,000 births. These rough estimates were based on data from two hospitals, one in Lagos and one in Zaira, and about 33,000 total births.2,3 At one end of the spectrum, the highest rate (1,970) was similar to that in England between the 16th and 18th centuries and the lowest rate (40) reflected the MMR for England and Wales in 1940.2 (The author [ABW] calculated the rate of 1,970 as the mean of three rates for women with planned hospitalizations (40 per 100,000), those with planned hospitalizations and complications (370 per 100,000) and those with “unbooked emergencies” [2,900 per 100,000]).

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190586'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190586 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190587'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190587 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

Chimimanda A. Half of a Yellow Sun. Alfred A. Knopf; 2006.

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190588'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190588 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

Harrison KA. The struggle to reduce high maternal mortality in

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190589'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190589 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

Nigeria. Afr J Reprod Health. 2009;13(2):9-20.

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190590'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190590 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

World Health Organization. Maternal mortality: The urgency of a

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190591'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190591 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

systemic and multisectoral approach in mitigating maternal

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190592'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190592 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

deaths in Africa. Published online 2023.

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190593'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190593 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

https://files.aho.afro.who.int/afahobckpcontainer/productio

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190594'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190594 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

n/files/iAHO_Maternal_Mortality_Regional_Factsheet.pdf

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190595'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190595 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

United Kingdom. World Bank Gender Data Portal. Accessed

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190596'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190596 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

February 8, 2025.

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190597'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190597 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

https://genderdata.worldbank.org/en/economies/unitedkingdom

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190598'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190598 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

Roser M and Ritchie H. Maternal Mortality. Our World in Data.

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190599'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190599 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

Published online November 12, 2013.

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190600'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190600 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

https://ourworldindata.org/maternal-mortality

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190601'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190601 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190602'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190602 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

Health Statistics. Global Program for Civil Registration andVital Statistics (CRVS) Improvement.; 2015.

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190603'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190603 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/isp/isp_crvs.htm

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190604'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190604 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

World Health Organization. The WHO Application of ICD-10 to

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190605'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190605 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

Deaths during Pregnancy, Childbirth and Puerperium:

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190606'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190606 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

ICD-MM. World Health Organization; 2012.

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190607'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190607 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/70929

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190608'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190608 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

Joseph KS, Boutin A, Lisonkova S, Muraca GM, Razaz N, John S,

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190609'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190609 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

Mehrabadi A, Sabr Y, Ananth CV and Schisterman E.

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190610'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190610 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

Maternal mortality in the United States: Recent trends,

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190611'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190611 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

current status, and future considerations. Obstet Gynecol.

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190612'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190612 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

;137(5):763. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000004361

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190613'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190613 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

UNICEF. Improving civil registration of births and deaths: How

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190614'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190614 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

can the health sector contribute? Presented June 23, 2021.

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190615'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190615 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

Tackling Low Birth Registration in Africa: Birth Certificates Are

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190616'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190616 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

Key to Ensuring Health, Education, Safety, and Equal

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190617'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190617 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

Opportunities | Global Financing Facility.

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190618'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190618 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

https://www.globalfinancingfacility.org/news/blog/tackling

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190619'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190619 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

-low-birth-registration-africa-birth-certificates-are-keyensuring-health

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190620'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190620 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

Okonofua F, Ntoimo L, Johnson E, Sombie I, Ojuolape S, Igboin

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190621'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190621 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

B, Imongan W, Ekwo C, Udenigwe O, Yaya S, Wallis AB

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190622'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190622 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

and Adeniran J. Texting for life: a mobile phone application

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190623'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190623 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

to connect pregnant women with emergency transport and

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190624'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190624 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

obstetric care in rural Nigeria. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth.

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190625'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190625 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

;23(1).

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190626'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190626 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

‘No Woman Should Die while Giving Life,’ Secretary-General

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190627'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190627 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

Says at Event on Ending Maternal Mortality | Meetings

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM citation_settings WHERE citation_id = '190628'  

---

---

(mysql): SELECT * FROM metadata_descriptions WHERE assoc_type = 1048579 AND assoc_id = 190628 ORDER BY metadata_description_id DESC  

---

Coverage and Press Releases. Accessed February 8, 2025.

https://press.un.org/en/2014/sgsm15984.doc.htm