Maternal death

Nepal is one of the poorest countries and healthcare is a major challenge, but one doctor hopes to improve conditions for women there.

For the first time in decades, the maternal mortality has declined significantly. More access to prenatal care and fewer pregnancies worldwide have contributed to the improved numbers. However, there is still work to be done.

Over half a million women die each year from complications of pregnancy. To address the problem, the UN Population Fund is holding a high level maternal health meeting in Ethiopia. Listen to Lyse Doucet’s report from Afghanistan.

In the African nation of Zambia, abortion is legal, but few medical clinics offer the procedure and women therefore try it themselves. A hospital in Zambia’s capital, Lusaka, aims to save women’s lives by making abortion safer and more widely available.