Global health authorities announced today that the rate of deaths of women caused by childbirth has fallen 44% since 1990, to an estimated 303,000 this year, from 532 000 in 1990, according to a new study. More than half of these deaths took place in sub-Saharan Africa. But that is down to 546 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2015, from 987 per 100,000 in 1990, according to the report, and in Ethiopia, that rate has more than halved since 1990.

Deaths per 100,000 live births, in 2013.
Deaths per 100,000 live births, in 2013.
Image: Trends in maternal mortality 1990 to 2013, by the WHO, UNICEF, The World Bank and the United Nations Population Division.

The Safe Delivery app was developed by researchers from University of Copenhagen and University of Southern Denmark and explains the seven signal functions of Basic Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care. It is based on global clinical guidelines, according to the Maternity Foundation.

So far, the group has given 78 phones with the app, to midwives as part of a pilot test last year in the Oromo region. The ability of the midwives using the app to manage cases of severe bleeding rose to 70% of cases, up from 30%, according to organizers. The foundation is also testing the app in Ghana and plans to use it in Tanzania and Guinea.   Mobile penetration is still relatively low in Ethiopia, at around 31% as of 2014, but like in other sub Saharan countries it is growing fast.

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