New Report: Unsafe Surgery Drives Maternal Deaths in Tanzania
A landmark report highlights urgent gaps in surgical safety during childbirth—and calls for action to prevent maternal deaths that should never happen.
Understanding Causes of Maternal Mortality
A newly released national report from the Tanzania Ministry of Health has revealed a sobering statistic: more than half (53%) of all maternal deaths in 2022 occurred following caesarean section.
The finding is detailed in the Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) Report 2018–2023, which examines six years of national data to better understand the causes of maternal and perinatal mortality across the country.
Access Without Safety is Not Enough
The report underscores a critical reality in many countries: even when surgical care is accessible, safety remains a major challenge. Caesarean section—an essential, life-saving intervention—can become life-threatening in settings where surgical systems are under-resourced, overstretched, or lack adequate training and oversight.
In response, the Global Surgery Foundation is working with national and regional partners through its Women’s Health Programme to close the surgical safety gap. The programme focuses on building capacity, supporting clinical training, and improving the quality and timeliness of care for women, including around childbirth.
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