Third regional consultation, with 24 countries in West and Central Africa defining priorities to accelerate maternal, newborn and child survival and wellbeing.

In West and Central Africa (WCAR), maternal and child mortality rates remain among the highest in the world, with preventable deaths occurring every day. The region has a neonatal mortality rate of 30 per 1,000 births, one of the highest rates globally. Around 4 in 10 child deaths globally occur in West and Central Africa, where geographic and socio-economic disparities persist in access to care. A mother dies there every 4 minutes, often from preventable causes.

Twenty-two countries in WCAR will not achieve the Sustainable Development Goals for maternal and child mortality and stillbirth target in Every Newborn Action Plan by 2030. Accelerating progress is essential to reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) targets. Accelerating interventions in the region could save up to 6.9 million children by 2030.

The November 2024 regional consultation, organized by UNICEF, WHO, UNFPA, and UN Women, aims to define priority actions to reduce maternal, newborn and child mortality in West and Central Africa and to align partner efforts for more effective implementation of priorities.

For every woman and every child, the promise of equitable, quality care must become a reality if we are to reduce preventable mortality and achieve the SDGs.