Sri Lanka has been hailed by the World Health Organization (WHO) for achieving a significant milestone in maternal health, reducing maternal mortality to just 25 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023.

Describing the achievement as “remarkable,” the WHO spotlighted the island nation’s inclusive and robust healthcare system as a model for ensuring free and equitable access to maternal services.

The announcement came as part of a statement released to mark World Health Day 2025, themed “Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures.” The WHO credited Sri Lanka’s longstanding commitment to maternal and child health as key to this success, citing decades of investment in trained midwives, community outreach, and universal healthcare coverage.

However, the global health body also issued a note of caution, raising concerns over a growing trend of low birth weight among newborns in Sri Lanka. It called for urgent research into the root causes, with a particular focus on maternal nutrition, which plays a critical role in newborn health outcomes.

While Sri Lanka’s progress offers hope, maternal and newborn health remains a global crisis. According to the WHO, nearly 300,000 women die annually due to complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. Additionally, over 4 million newborns either die within their first month or are stillborn each year—equating to one preventable death every seven seconds.

“These are not just numbers—they represent profound human loss and suffering,” the WHO said, calling for urgent investments in quality prenatal, delivery, and postnatal care across the globe. “Strong healthcare systems that prioritize women and newborns are not a luxury—they are a necessity.”

As the world marks World Health Day, Sri Lanka’s achievement stands as a beacon of what is possible with political will, community involvement, and a people-centered approach to healthcare. But the global challenge remains vast, and the need for action has never been more urgent.