In recognition of the first World Postpartum Hemorrhage Day, 5 October, Unitaid joins global partners in advocating for an end to a leading cause of maternal death.
Every year, nearly 26 million women experience life-threatening bleeding after giving birth. Nearly all women who die from postpartum bleeding are in low- and middle-income countries; timely access to proven medicines, tools and quality care could prevent most of these deaths.
On Sunday, 5 October, at the FIGO World Congress of Gynecology and Obstetrics, leaders in maternal and newborn health inaugurated the first annual World Postpartum Hemorrhage Day, to raise awareness and improve care for millions of women worldwide.
This comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) introduce a new definition of postpartum hemorrhage and publish new guidelines, marking a major step forward in strengthening global responses, ensuring earlier diagnosis and faster action to save women’s lives.
Game-changing innovations that make the difference
Unitaid has invested more than US$77 million in innovative tools and treatments that diagnose, monitor, and manage life-threatening bleeding in childbirth. Our work helps address barriers that stop critical products from reaching women when and where they need them – whether they give birth in a hospital, clinic, or at home.
Watch the videos to see how these four products are transforming maternal and newborn health.
Calibrated drape – early detection of hemorrhage
This simple yet effective tool helps healthcare workers quickly measure blood loss after childbirth, enabling faster diagnosis and treatment of postpartum hemorrhage.
Heat-stable carbetocin – preventing excessive bleeding
Heat-stable carbetocin prevents dangerous bleeding after birth and requires no refrigeration, making it a reliable option in low-resource settings where cold storage is unreliable.
Tranexamic acid – emergency bleeding control
This fast-acting medicine promotes blood clotting. Administered quickly after delivery, it can significantly reduce the risk of death from postpartum hemorrhage. It is especially valuable in emergency situations where time is critical.
Misoprostol – accessible and effective
Affordable, heat-stable, and easy to use – even outside of clinical settings, Misoprostol is a practical and scalable option for remote or underserved communities.
