Cape Town — The riskiest country in the world to be a new mother is the Democratic Republic of Congo. That's according to Save the Children's 2013 State of the World's Mothers report.
It highlights Africa as the most dangerous continent to be a mother of a newborn, because of high maternal and infant mortality. The next four lowest-ranking countries are Somalia, Sierra Leone, Mali and Niger.
The report assesses a country's health and education services, the economic status of mothers and the wellbeing of children, in order to determine the best and worst places in the world to be a mother.
The study found that annually, more than a million babies die worldwide on the first day of their life, making the birth day the most dangerous day for babies in most countries, rich and poor alike.
South Africa ranks 77th out of 176 nations. Researchers say while the country has made advances thanks to the rollout of anti-retroviral drugs and improved prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission, a lot still needs to be done. Every year, 7,500 babies born in South Africa, die on the day of their birth. That equates to 21 newborn baby deaths, every day.
The release of the report coincides with the launch of Save the Children South Africa. Its chairperson, Neven Hendricks, says it is clear why the organisation is needed in the country.
"A great nation is one that looks after its young and old and we are failing," Hendricks said at the Johannesburg launch.
Hendricks said the ministry of women, children and people with disabilities has shown willingness to work with Save the Children South Africa, in the charity's efforts to end preventable deaths of mothers and children.
Save the Children South Africa CEO, Pam Innes, said in South Africa more than in most countries, the burden of baby mortality falls disproportionately on the poorest in society and those living in rural communities.
Mothers in Nordic countries fared the best in the report - with Finland coming out tops, followed by Sweden, Norway, Iceland and the Netherlands.
