Urgent push to fix rural maternity shortages

Half of rural obstetric services have closed since the 1990s, leaving some areas as “obstetric deserts,” where 1 in 50 births happens roadside.

A new framework urges restoring services and highlights risks like premature births and the burden of travelling for care.

Image: Image from Wikimedia Commons

Produced By: Sihan Wang

Featured In Story: Alecia Staines – founder of the Maternity Consumer Network

First aired on The Wire, Tuesday 1 July 2025