This post originally appeared on WHO’s website.

Every year, an estimated 303 000 women die due to complications in pregnancy and childbirth. Most of these deaths could be prevented with high-quality care. However, accurate information on how many women died, where they died and how they died is often lacking in most countries.

Through maternal death surveillance and response (MDSR), WHO is helping countries review maternal deaths, and to implement and monitor steps to prevent similar deaths in the future. MDSR contributes to better information for action by promoting routine identification and timely notification of maternal deaths, review of maternal deaths, and implementation and monitoring of steps to prevent similar deaths in the future.

This photo story describes how countries are implementing MDSR and ensuring all deaths of women of reproductive age are notified and reviewed by experts.

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