On April 27, Ethiopia kicked off the global observance of World Health Day 2025 with a powerful “Walk the Talk” event at Entoto Park in Addis Ababa, uniting a diverse group of participants—government officials, health workers, United Nations representatives, and local citizens. Under the theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,” the event reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to improving maternal and newborn health, highlighting the nation’s ambitious strides in reducing preventable deaths.
Organized by the Ministry of Health in partnership with WHO Ethiopia and St. Petros Specialized Hospital, the walk was a symbolic yet impactful demonstration of Ethiopia’s resolve to eliminate preventable maternal and newborn deaths. Leading the event, Health Minister Dr. Mekdes Daba was joined by senior officials, health professionals, and representatives from various organizations, underscoring the seriousness of the cause.
Ethiopia’s maternal mortality ratio has seen significant improvement over the past two decades, dropping from over 400 per 100,000 live births to an estimated 195. This progress reflects ongoing investments in health infrastructure, workforce development, and service delivery. Despite these advances, however, nearly 8,000 Ethiopian women continue to die each year from pregnancy-related complications.
The event marked the beginning of a year-long campaign, celebrating progress while acknowledging the work still required. Though health worker training, improved services, and digital tools have made a positive impact, access to quality care remains uneven, especially in rural and underserved areas. Fragile infrastructure, a shortage of skilled professionals, and the added burden of conflicts and climate shocks further threaten to undo these gains.
Dr. Bejoy Nambiar, speaking on behalf of WHO Representative to Ethiopia, Dr. Owen Laws Kaluwa, highlighted the global scope of the crisis, noting that nearly 300,000 women die each year from pregnancy and childbirth-related causes, with 2.3 million newborns dying within the first month of life. He emphasized the importance of addressing these figures, which serve as a call to action for the international community.
WHO data indicates that most countries, including Ethiopia, are not on track to meet the global maternal mortality reduction goals by 2030. Although the nation’s progress is commendable, the target of reducing maternal deaths to fewer than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030 remains out of reach. The event at Entoto Park demonstrated a growing national awareness that maternal and newborn health is integral to human rights, social justice, and sustainable development.
Despite significant challenges, Ethiopia has made strides in maternal health. The government’s focus on training more midwives and health extension workers is beginning to pay off. Investments in digital health platforms are improving service delivery and data tracking, and WHO, along with other partners, continues to provide critical support in upgrading healthcare facilities and deploying specialists.
However, global aid cuts have begun to undermine these efforts. Financial constraints have already impacted essential services for pregnant women and vulnerable families. The scaling back of vital programs, research, and supply chains threatens to reverse hard-won progress. Without renewed funding from the international community, Ethiopia’s maternal and newborn health gains could be jeopardized.
To reach the 2030 targets, Ethiopia must continue to invest in comprehensive care—from prenatal visits to emergency obstetric services and postnatal support. Ensuring that no woman is left behind, regardless of her location or socio-economic status, is key to achieving equity in healthcare. The nation’s commitment to empowering women to take control of their reproductive health and engage in the decision-making process remains central to this vision.
As Ethiopia leads the way in this global campaign, it stands as a reminder that, even in the face of immense challenges, progress is possible. The nation’s efforts underscore the reality that preventing maternal and newborn deaths is not an unattainable dream, but an achievable goal—provided the world comes together to act. From the heart of Addis Ababa to the rural regions, each step taken brings us closer to a healthier and more hopeful future for all.
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