Minister of Health Dr. Ahmadou Lamin Samateh has informed the National Assembly that The Gambia recorded 30 maternal deaths in 2025, according to updated figures generated through the country’s national health information management system.
Speaking during Wednesday’s parliamentary sitting in response to a question from the National Assembly Member for Banjul Central, Dr. Samateh provided revised maternal mortality statistics and clarified discrepancies in previously reported data.
“The correct maternal mortality statistics for 2025 indicate a total number of maternal deaths of 30, with 80,720 live births recorded,” the minister told lawmakers.
Dr. Samateh said the figures were generated through the District Health Information Software 2 (DHIS2), a digital platform used to collect, process, and monitor health data across the country. According to him, the system automatically calculates maternal mortality indicators, helping to improve accuracy and reduce reporting errors.
The minister explained that the institutional maternal mortality ratio currently stands at 128.8 deaths per 100,000 live births, while the overall national maternal mortality ratio is 116.1 deaths per 100,000 live births.
“The institutional maternal mortality ratio reflects maternal deaths within health facilities, while the total maternal mortality ratio takes into account both community and facility-based maternal deaths,” he said.
Dr. Samateh acknowledged that an error occurred in the presentation of earlier statistics, attributing the discrepancy to a data retrieval issue within the DHIS2 platform.
“The error arose during the data retrieval process from the DHIS2 platform, leading to the inadvertent presentation of the institutional maternal mortality ratio as the total maternal mortality ratio,” he explained.
The health minister also outlined some of the leading causes of maternal mortality in the country, noting that pregnancy-related complications continue to pose significant challenges to maternal health.
“There are multiple factors responsible for maternal mortality. Pregnancy-induced hypertension is one of the major causes,” he said, adding that severe bleeding and other obstetric complications also contribute to maternal deaths.
Dr. Samateh assured lawmakers that the Ministry of Health remains committed to reducing maternal mortality through strengthened maternal healthcare services, improved antenatal care, upgraded health facilities, and enhanced health data management systems.
He further revealed that every maternal death recorded in the country is subjected to a comprehensive review process involving the ministry’s Reproductive and Maternal Health Unit and other key stakeholders.
“Each time there is a maternal death, we have a reproductive and maternal health unit, and stakeholders sit to review the causes and identify points that need to be addressed immediately,” he said.
The minister emphasized that these reviews are essential in identifying gaps in healthcare delivery and implementing corrective measures aimed at preventing future maternal deaths.
The latest figures come as The Gambia continues efforts to improve maternal and child health outcomes in line with national development priorities and global health targets.
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