East and Southern Africa lags behind in attempts to reduce maternal deaths. The region's maternal mortality ratio of 391 deaths per 100,000 live births requires a faster reduction rate to meet the Sustainable Development Goals target of no more than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030. About 77,000 mothers die in pregnancy and childbirth every year in our region, and most of these deaths are preventable. Increasing the quantity and quality of midwives is one of the most viable solutions.