Maternal mortality sharply down in Iran over four decades
Maternal mortality in Iran has fallen from more than 220 deaths to about 20 per 100,000 live births over the past four to five decades, the head of the country’s Medical Council said on Saturday, IRNA reported.
Mohammad Raeeszadeh, speaking at a ceremony marking the anniversary of the Iranian Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said access to safe childbirth services in Iran now exceeds 95%. Worldwide, the maternal mortality ratio stood at about 197 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023, down from 328 in 2000, according to the World Health Organization. The global target for 2030 is to bring the ratio below 70 deaths per 100,000 live births.
“Iran has 6,012 obstetrician-gynecologists along with nearly 280 perinatology specialists, about 300 fellowship-trained specialists in infertility and in vitro fertilization (IVF), and nearly 160 specialists with fellowships in gynecologic oncology surgery,” Raeeszadeh said.
According to the official, the number of women specialists across clinical fields has also risen sharply, from about 770 in 1981 to more than 30,000 women specialists, subspecialists and fellowship holders across all fields today.
“That represents an increase of more than 40 times, while Iran’s population has grown about two-and-a-half times over the same period,” he said.
At the ceremony, Soudabeh Kazemi, head of the Iranian Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, called for maintaining the quality of medical training, expanding research, upholding professional ethics and protecting women’s dignity and health. She said scientific associations should provide a forum for professionals to exchange experience, discuss workplace concerns and involve younger generations.