Maternal Mortality Rate Falls 10 Percent in Dominican Republic Amid Notable Progress and Ongoing Challenges

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Maternal Mortality Rate Falls 10 Percent in Dominican Republic Amid Notable Progress and Ongoing Challenges

The Dominican Republic has seen a 10% reduction in maternal mortality rates, with 126 reported deaths as of early October 2025. This marks a significant improvement from the previous year’s total of 140 deaths reported during the same timeframe.

Details on Maternal Mortality Reduction

The National Epidemiological Surveillance System (Sinave) attributes this decline to various health initiatives. Although two maternal deaths occurred in epidemiological week 40, which runs from September 28 to October 4, the overall trend indicates better performance compared to past years.

  • 2024 SE-40 reported 5 deaths.
  • 18 deaths recorded in SE-37–40 in 2024, while 14 deaths occurred in 2025.

Factors Behind the Improvement

The decrease in maternal deaths can be linked to several key actions within the health system:

  • Increased prenatal care coverage.
  • Strengthened obstetric emergency care.
  • Ongoing training for health personnel.
  • Improved availability of essential medical supplies.

These measures enhance the quality of care throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, which are crucial for maternal health.

Maternal Deaths by Nationality

When analyzing maternal mortality by nationality, 70 Dominican women died, down from 75 in 2024. Among Haitian women, 56 deaths were recorded in 2025 compared to 65 the previous year. This highlights the need for targeted health initiatives for migrant populations who face additional barriers to accessing quality care.

Regional Comparisons and Challenges

Areas with the lowest maternal death rates include:

  • Santo Domingo
  • San Cristobal
  • San Pedro de Macorís

Conversely, provinces like La Vega, La Altagracia, and Samaná showed increases in maternal deaths, indicating ongoing challenges. These fluctuations suggest improvements in urban areas, but also highlight regions requiring audits to address specific issues such as delays in care and management of pregnancy-related complications.

Understanding Maternal Mortality

Maternal mortality is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the death of a woman during pregnancy, childbirth, or within 42 days post-pregnancy due to pregnancy-related causes. These deaths are categorized into:

  • Direct deaths: Resulting from obstetric complications like hemorrhage or infection.
  • Indirect deaths: From pre-existing conditions exacerbated by pregnancy, such as HIV or heart disease.

The Global Perspective on Maternal Mortality

Since 2000, the global maternal mortality ratio has decreased by about 40%. In the Americas, there was a 19% drop in maternal mortality between 2020 and 2023, averting nearly five daily deaths across the region. While the decline in the Dominican Republic’s maternal mortality is commendable, further efforts are needed.

Continuous improvements in primary care and prenatal services are vital. Enhancing access to health care, especially in remote communities, will remain crucial in the fight against maternal mortality.