WHO ramps up support for pregnant women with NCDs: New guidelines to save lives
New Delhi: A major step toward safer motherhood is underway as the World Health Organisation develops new guidelines to improve care for pregnant and postpartum women living with non-communicable diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart conditions and obesity.
The move comes as global evidence shows a shift in maternal health needs. WHO data notes that indirect causes, many linked to NCDs, now account for about 23% of maternal deaths worldwide, making them the second leading cause after haemorrhage. The recognition is pushing global health systems to act earlier and smarter.
To turn evidence into action, WHO will convene global experts virtually on June 30 for an “NCD care integration during pregnancy” meeting. The goal: build practical, implementable tools that fit real health-system conditions and strengthen continuity of care from pregnancy through postpartum and beyond.
The focus is on solutions that work where they’re needed most. In low- and middle-income countries, where most maternal deaths occur, antenatal care is often a woman’s first contact with the health system. WHO aims to use that moment to screen and manage chronic conditions early, giving mothers and babies a stronger start.
The guidelines will address risks like pre-eclampsia, preterm birth and caesarean delivery, while also tackling long-term health. Women who receive proper NCD care during pregnancy can lower their risk of future cardiovascular disease. Babies benefit too, with lower chances of obesity and other chronic conditions later in life.
This builds on WHO’s 2025 guidelines for sickle cell anaemia and diabetes in pregnancy — the first in a new series covering NCDs in maternal health. Future guidance will expand to cardiovascular conditions, respiratory diseases, mental health and more.“NCD management is often overlooked within maternal health services,” WHO said. The new effort aims to change that by equipping frontline health workers with clear protocols, even where specialists are scarce, and by integrating NCD care into routine maternal services.
With the June 30 convening, WHO is bringing together clinicians, researchers and health system leaders to make the guidelines practical and equitable. The result: more women getting timely care, more babies born healthy, and stronger health systems ready for the next challenge.
