Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent, midwife: ‘Two million babies are stillborn every year worldwide, one every 17 seconds’

Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent highlights the global crisis of stillbirths, with two million occurring annually, yet receiving little attention. She emphasizes the stigma and lack of resources surrounding this issue, which leads to significant emotional pain for families. Recent initiatives, like the Gates Foundation's UZIMA program, aim to reduce stillbirths through improved monitoring and healthcare access. However, Dunkley-Bent stresses that technological advancements must be paired with stronger health systems and education on fetal movements. Many women, particularly in under-resourced regions, lack access to prenatal care and support, leading to preventable deaths and feelings of guilt. She calls for urgent action to address these disparities and prevent further losses.