More than 90% of the world’s 6.4 billion people live in the developing world.

One in four women who die during childbirth simply bleed to death. A medicine, oxytocin, costing less than 99 cents a vial, could prevent that.

CAUSES of Maternal Mortality (WHO, 2005)
(% of total maternal deaths)

• Severe bleeding 25%
• Infection 15%
• Unsafe abortion 13%
• High blood pressure 12%
• Obstructed labour 8%
• Other direct causes 8%
• Other indirect causes 20%

At the heart of the issue is that about half of all women in developing countries don’t have a skilled birth attendant at their delivery. They may have an untrained traditional birth attendant, or their mother-in-law. Or they may be on their own.

A Global Picture (WHO, 2008)
% of Deliveries With a Skilled Attendant

• Global 65.7%
• Africa 46.5%
• Asia 65.4%
• Latin America 88.5%
• Europe 99.5%
• North America 99.5%