Saint Lucia has made noteworthy progress in reducing maternal mortality, dropping from 159.4 per 100,000 live births in 2010 to 41.3 in 2024.
The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs said in a press release yesterday to mark its observance of World Health Day 2025.
“This achievement stems from national initiatives such as the Perinatal Audit conducted in 2014, improved identification and management of high-risk pregnancies, expanded obstetrics and gynaecology clinics, and capacity building for healthcare professionals,” stated the Ministry, adding that challenges remain despite the progress in reducing maternal mortality.
According to the Ministry, the infant mortality rate, which declined between 2017 and 2020, showed a slight increase from 2020 to 2024, though remained well below 2017 levels. Additionally, the total fertility rate fell to 1.13 in 2024, far below the replacement rate of 2.1.
The Ministry, yesterday, joined the global community in observing World Health Day 2025 under the theme: “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures.” This observance, commemorated annually on April 7, highlights the urgent need to prioritise maternal and newborn health while promoting long-term wellness for women everywhere.
This year’s theme calls attention to an alarming reality. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 300,000 women die due to pregnancy or childbirth annually, while over 2 million babies die in their first month of life, and an additional two million pregnancies end in stillbirth. These figures reinforce the need for proactive, equitable healthcare systems that support women and babies before, during, and after birth.
Minister for Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs, Moses Jn. Baptiste emphasised the significance of the observance and the Ministry’s ongoing work in improving maternal and newborn care.
“As we commemorate World Health Day 2025, we are reminded that the health of mothers and newborns is a vital pillar of our nation’s future. Every mother deserves quality care. Every baby deserves a healthy start. Our Ministry remains committed to strengthening maternal and child health services through Universal Health Coverage and evidence-based interventions,” the Minister stated yesterday.
Jn. Baptiste further highlighted the importance of accessing maternal services made available under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Programme, launched in June 2023.
“With the roll-out of the Universal Health Coverage Programme, Saint Lucian women now have access to free ultrasounds, diagnostic labs, and cervical screenings. These services are critical in identifying po-tential risks early and providing timely interventions. It is crucial that our women take full advantage of these services, not only during pregnancy but before and after,” Jn. Baptiste said.
As part of its commitment to sustainable development goals, the Ministry is also tackling non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes through the HEARTS programme and Per-formance-Based Financing Project, recognizing their impact on maternal health outcomes.
The Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs encourages all citizens to stand in solidarity for healthier beginnings and brighter futures. This World Health Day, the call is clear every woman and every child deserves to survive and thrive.