It is estimated by the World Health Organisation that approximately 800 women die every day due to complications in pregnancy or childbirth , 99% of which are in low-income countries (LIC). Between 1990 and 2015, following a commitment by the international community to reduce maternal mortality, the number of deaths worldwide dropped by about 44%. This led to countries uniting behind a new target to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio even further, to less than 70 per 100,000 live births between 2016 and 2030.

Global Maternal Health activity at King’s is a collaborative aiming to improve care in low and middle income countries, brought together under the Women’s Global Health Group, part of the KHP Women’s Health Academic Centre. The work of the group is diverse, from strengthening healthcare systems through in-country training initiatives to developing innovative technologies. The group holds over eight research grants specific to Global Health Research, with collaborations spanning 17 countries.