Azerbaijan is facing a worrying rise in maternal mortality, with the rate nearly doubling over the past decade, according to official statistics.
In 2014, the country recorded 14.6 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, a figure that climbed to 28.3 deaths in 2024 – a sharp increase that has alarmed both medical experts and policymakers.
A System Under Strain
Gynecologist Raul Azimov points to deep-rooted systemic deficiencies in maternal healthcare, particularly in rural areas.
“In some regions of Azerbaijan, home births without medical supervision are still practiced,” Azimov explained. “The situation is worsened by the lack of adequate resuscitation equipment, blood banks, and properly equipped maternity facilities in remote districts. Even more troubling is that some pregnant women go through all nine months without a single medical check-up.”
These gaps, he said, leave women vulnerable to complications that could be prevented with proper monitoring and emergency support.
Lack of Pregnancy Planning
Medical expert Adil Geybulla highlighted another major factor – the lack of pregnancy planning and preventive health checks before conception.
“In most cases, pregnancies are unplanned, which can aggravate pre-existing health conditions,” he noted. “We have seen cases where women become pregnant while suffering from hepatitis C and later die from liver or kidney failure. Like in other developed countries, Azerbaijan must adopt a culture of pregnancy planning – comprehensive health assessments before conception and consistent medical supervision throughout pregnancy based on clinical protocols.”
Institutional Response and Reform Plans
Officials acknowledge the challenges. Tarana Rejebli, head of the obstetrics commission at the Administration of Regional Medical Units (TEBİB), said the government has begun implementing a comprehensive roadmap to improve maternal care.
“Within TƏBİB institutions, we are strengthening the material and technical base, enhancing emergency preparedness, expanding the pool of qualified specialists, and ensuring access to essential medicines,” she said. “A key part of the solution lies in developing the institution of family medicine, which can provide early intervention and ongoing support for expectant mothers.”
The Bigger Picture
Health experts say that tackling the maternal mortality crisis will require systemic reforms – from expanding prenatal education and preventive care to modernizing rural clinics and ensuring equal access to healthcare nationwide.
While the government has pledged improvements, many specialists warn that without stronger primary care, better education, and cultural change around pregnancy planning, maternal deaths will remain an urgent and preventable tragedy.
