Santo Domingo.- The Ministry of Public Health reported 126 maternal deaths through early October, representing a 10% reduction compared to the same period last year.
According to the National Epidemiological Surveillance System (Sinave), this figure reflects 14 fewer maternal deaths than in 2024, when 140 deaths were reported.
Although the trend is positive, the report notes that of the 126 maternal deaths, two occurred in epidemiological week (EW) 40, from September 28 to October 4, which remains a high figure and highlights challenges in equity in access to maternal health services, especially in rural and vulnerable areas of the country.
These results are below the five reported in the 2024 SE-40, indicating better weekly performance.
However, the recent section of the SE-37–40 also saw an improvement, with 14 deaths in 2025 compared to 18 in 2024, reinforcing a downward trend in the short term.
Improving maternal care: factors explaining the reduction
According to the Epidemiology Directorate’s bulletin, this decrease could be related to several key actions within the health system, such as increased prenatal care coverage, strengthening obstetric emergency care, ongoing training of health personnel, and increased availability of essential medical supplies.
These measures aim to significantly improve the quality and timeliness of care during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, critical periods for maternal health.
Maternal deaths by nationality
The analysis by nationality reveals that 70 deaths among Dominican women were recorded as of October 4, compared to 75 in 2024, equivalent to a reduction of five cases. Among Haitian women, 56 cases were reported in 2025 and 65 in 2024.
These data highlight the need for specific actions for migrant populations, who often face additional barriers to accessing timely, quality medical care.
The areas with the lowest maternal death rates are Santo Domingo, San Cristobal, and San Pedro de Macorís. These are followed by the provinces of Valverde, Azua, and Duarte/Monte Cristi.
While some provinces, such as La Vega, La Altagracia, Samaná, and the National District, recorded increases.
This mix of decreases and increases suggests sustained improvements in large urban areas but risk hotspots in provinces with pronounced relative increases, which warrant case audits (delays, referrals, blood/uterotonic availability, management of sepsis and hypertensive disorders) and postpartum reinforcement.
What is maternal mortality, and why is it a key public health indicator?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), maternal death is defined as the death of a woman during pregnancy, childbirth, or within 42 days after the termination of pregnancy, due to causes related to the pregnancy, excluding accidental or incidental causes.
The WHO classifies maternal deaths into two types: direct, those caused by obstetric complications such as hemorrhage, eclampsia, sepsis, among others, and indirect, related to pre-existing or acquired diseases that worsen during pregnancy, such as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), malaria, or heart disease.
Reducing maternal mortality at the regional and global levels
Globally, between 2000 and 2023, the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) decreased by approximately 40%, from 328 to 197 deaths per 100,000 live births.
In the Americas, maternal mortality decreased by 19% between 2020 and 2023, representing nearly five fewer deaths per day across the region.
The reduction in the number of maternal deaths in the Dominican Republic is an encouraging sign, but it is not enough.
This is necessary to continue providing primary care, improve the quality of prenatal care, and expand access to health services in remote communities.
Maternal mortality is more than just a number: it is an essential indicator of the state of the health system, equity in health care, and women’s reproductive rights.
