7,000 Maternal Deaths in 2021, Highest Number Due to Covid-19

Based on data from the Directorate General of Public Health, Ministry of Health, there were 7,389 maternal deaths in Indonesia in 2021. This number surged by 56.69% compared to the previous year's total of 4,627 deaths.

The high number of maternal deaths during childbirth last year was caused by COVID-19 infection, accounting for 2,982 deaths. An additional 1,320 mothers died from hemorrhage, 1,077 from pregnancy-induced hypertension, and 335 from heart disease.

Furthermore, 207 mothers died during childbirth due to infection, 80 from metabolic disorders, 65 from circulatory system disorders, 14 from abortion, and 1,309 from other causes.

The government's efforts to accelerate the reduction of maternal mortality rate (MMR) involve ensuring that every mother has access to quality healthcare services, such as antenatal care, childbirth assistance by trained healthcare professionals in healthcare facilities, postnatal care for mothers and babies, specialized care and referral in case of complications, and family planning services, including postpartum family planning.

Indonesia's maternal mortality rate showed a downward trend from 1991 to 2015. In 1991, the rate reached 390 per 100,000 live births. This figure decreased to 228 per 100,000 live births.

However, in 2012, the infant mortality rate increased again to 359 and then decreased to 305 per 100,000 live births. Despite the decrease, Indonesia's MMR remains high and above the MDGs target of 102 per 100,000 live births.