Dr. Anete Muxlhanga’s Mission: Local, Data-Driven Solutions for Maternal Health in Mozambique

Mozambique faces significant maternal health challenges, compounded by ongoing conflict and a recent surge in political instability. The maternal mortality rate remains high at 127 deaths per 100,000 live births, far above global averages. Women of reproductive age (15–49) are also disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic, with a high prevalence of 15.4%. The interconnected challenges of maternal health, HIV, and healthcare inequities call for a paradigm shift in global health research—one that prioritizes regions like Mozambique and passes the torch to local actors.   

By: Audrey Benson, a researcher and writer with experience in quantitative and participatory projects at the intersection of health, gender, and migration. With a Master’s in International Health from the University of Barcelona, she is passionate about addressing global sexual and reproductive health inequities and believes in the power of research and storytelling to drive meaningful change.

Maternal and Child Health in Mozambique: A Physician’s Perspective 

Dr. Anete Muxlhanga, a Mozambican physician and researcher, provides firsthand insights into these challenges. Hailing from Maputo, she began her medical career during the COVID-19 pandemic, working in some of Mozambique’s largest treatment centers. Her exposure to maternal health issues came as she treated pregnant and postpartum women during the pandemic. 

Through her observations, Dr. Muxlhanga noticed how the pregnant women she treated faced increased risks of complications and death. These risks were not just due to lack of robust healthcare systems or the disease itself, but also gaps in medical research and data collection. Pregnant women have historically been excluded from clinical trials, leaving them with limited treatment options. Adding to this issue, Mozambique often lacks basic data on maternal health risks, hampering efforts to address specific needs of these women effectively. 

The Role of Local Research in Driving Systemic Change 

Dr. Muxlhanga’s current role at the Manica Health Center has given her a deeper understanding of how rural and urban disparities exacerbate healthcare inequalities. In rural areas, the challenges of connecting mothers to maternal and child healthcare are amplified. These disparities drive her commitment to systemic reforms that go beyond addressing immediate symptoms. 

Her contributions to initiatives like MAMAH (Improving Maternal and Infant Health by Reducing Malaria Risks in African Women) have been vital in uncovering critical gaps in maternal healthcare. For example, the lack of comprehensive patient data in Mozambique prevents policymakers and healthcare providers from identifying risk patterns or allocating resources to the extent they aim to. Addressing these gaps will require systemic support to empower local healthcare providers and researchers to develop tailored, data-driven solutions. 

Shifting the Gravity of Global Health Research Towards Local Leadership 

Global health research has traditionally been dominated by Western paradigms, with solutions designed in high-income contexts that often fail to address the realities of low-resource settings. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 70% of global maternal deaths, yet only 1.3% of global health publications are produced by professionals and institutions based on the continent. This disconnect perpetuates misaligned research priorities leading to insufficient progress in addressing health disparities. 

Institutions like the University of Edinburgh have called for a shift in the “gravity” of global health research toward the Global South, where the burden of disease is greatest. This deconstructive approach requires lifting up local actors, building research capacity, and decentralizing funding to ensure resources align with the priorities of affected communities.  

Investments in maternal health have already shown impact—for example, the $4 billion globally spent on family planning annually saves $5.6 billion in maternal and newborn health services. However, funding alone is not enough; it must be coupled with localized, context-sensitive approaches. 

Solutions from the Ground Up: Research in Education and Data Sovereignty 

Dr. Muxlhanga herself believes in the power of research. She suggests that education of medical providers should include at least some exposure to research or basic tools empowering workers to investigate patterns they identify on the ground. “Healthcare providers with a general understanding of medical research and the role data plays will more likely thoroughly and accurately report patient records,” she says, addressing the lack of robust health data. 

While acknowledging the healthcare system’s resource constraints, she emphasizes the importance of local action over reliance on external aid. “If external actors aren’t going to fund issues that matter to the people,” she says, “it’s important to collect the data now and not wait until someone else decides it is important.” By building a culture of research and data sovereignty, the country can break free from reliance on external actors and create health policies driven by local realities. 

Sovereignty and Creative Solutions: A New Dawn for Mozambique 

Despite the challenges, Dr. Muxlhanga remains optimistic about the future of maternal and child health in Mozambique. She believes progress is achievable through “good work with love and patience” and creative solutions led by local actors. Inspired by the resilience and warmth of Mozambique’s people, she likens her hope for the country’s future to its sunsets, which she calls “the most beautiful in the world.”  

Despite studying and working in various contexts, her belief in Mozambique’s unmatched potential endures. By prioritizing local leadership, fostering research sovereignty, and developing context-specific solutions, Mozambique—and the global health community—can work toward a future where no woman dies from preventable causes during childbirth.