The Association of Midwives of Gabon (ASFG) in the Ogooué-Maritime region recently organized a roundtable discussion in Port-Gentil to address the alarming rate of preventable maternal deaths. The event brought together various healthcare professionals, including gynecologists, obstetricians, doctors, and midwives, to analyze the causes of maternal deaths and develop concrete recommendations to improve care for pregnant women. The meeting aimed to promote collaboration between public and private healthcare structures to achieve a risk-free maternity experience.
According to Vanessa Laurelle Akoma Abiaga, president of the ASFG in Ogooué-Maritime, ten women have died in the province since January 2026, with eight of these deaths considered preventable. This represents the highest maternal mortality rate in Gabon. Akoma Abiaga emphasized that behind these statistics are grieving families and children who have lost their mothers. She stressed that preventing these deaths requires a comprehensive analysis of the care pathway, highlighting the need to identify areas for improvement.
Akoma Abiaga explained that a maternal death is often the result of a chain of events, including delays in seeking medical attention, reaching a healthcare facility, and receiving adequate care. She called for a collective response to address this issue, stating that the death of a mother is never the failure of a single profession, but rather a collective problem that requires a unified solution. The ASFG president emphasized the importance of collaboration between healthcare professionals to reduce preventable maternal deaths.
Raissa Johnson, regional director of health, commended the ASFG for initiating this discussion, which aligns with the national strategy to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates. Johnson noted that this effort is a priority in public health and is in line with the systematic audit of maternal and neonatal deaths, made mandatory by a ministerial note on March 11, 2026. She expressed her wish for the roundtable to produce efficient and dynamic recommendations to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality in the province.
The roundtable discussion aimed to produce concrete and immediately applicable recommendations, as well as a plan of action to strengthen collaboration between public and private healthcare structures and improve care for pregnant women. Johnson pledged to work closely with all stakeholders to transform the identified challenges into sustainable solutions. The event provided a platform for healthcare professionals to share their expertise and experiences in addressing maternal mortality.
The high maternal mortality rate in Ogooué-Maritime is a pressing concern, with the region recording the highest rate in Gabon. The ASFG and other healthcare stakeholders are working together to address this issue by promoting collaboration, improving care pathways, and reducing delays in seeking medical attention. The roundtable discussion marked an important step towards achieving the goal of zero preventable maternal deaths in the region.
The outcome of the roundtable discussion is expected to contribute to the national effort to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates. The recommendations and plan of action developed during the event will be crucial in strengthening healthcare systems and improving care for pregnant women in Ogooué-Maritime. By working together, healthcare professionals and stakeholders aim to make a positive impact on maternal health in the region.
Key points
- Ten women have died in Ogooué-Maritime since January 2026, with eight of these deaths considered preventable.
- The Association of Midwives of Gabon is pushing for a collective response to address the high maternal mortality rate in the region.
- The roundtable discussion aimed to produce concrete recommendations to improve care for pregnant women and reduce preventable maternal deaths.
