- Ethiopia, Ghana, Honduras, Nigeria, Senegal and Zambia scale up domestic investment in contraceptives and life-saving maternal and newborn health commodities.
- Belgium and Luxembourg commit landmark contributions to the UNFPA Supplies Partnership.
GENEVA, 22 May 2026: Eight countries pledged over US$175 million to expand access to contraceptives and life-saving reproductive, maternal and newborn health supplies.
The announcements, made by governments during the 79th World Health Assembly, come at a time of growing concern over global funding cuts to women’s health programmes. Such aid reductions are projected to leave a US$185 million gap in contraceptive funding alone in 2026.
The commitments by these eight countries signal a major push by governments to increase domestic investment in essential health supplies that prevent maternal deaths, unintended pregnancies and newborn complications.
Several of the commitments will be matched dollar for dollar by UNFPA through the UNFPA Supplies Partnership Match Fund and Maternal and Newborn Health Commodities Accelerator, helping countries stretch resources further and accelerate access to critical life-saving commodities.
The commitments come at a critical moment for women’s health. Every day more than 700 women die from preventable complications during pregnancy and childbirth.
Since 2020, domestic investment in contraceptives and maternal health supplies has increased more than sixfold across 54 UNFPA Supplies programme countries.
Donor governments are also stepping up. Belgium and Luxembourg each announced a contribution of EUR€4 million to the UNFPA Supplies Partnership, €8 million in total, reinforcing international solidarity at a moment when broader aid budgets are under acute pressure.
Beyond funding commitments, there has also been progress in expanding access to essential tools to reduce maternal mortality. Unitaid, UNFPA, the Clinton Health Access Initiative, and other partners also announced a new market-shaping partnership to expand access to the calibrated drape, a low-cost device that enables the early detection of postpartum haemorrhage and triggers timely, life-saving treatment. Postpartum haemorrhage is a leading cause of maternal death worldwide.
Key commitments
- Ethiopia committed US$150 million for commodities over the next three years under the new Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Compact, a government-led financing and accountability framework that aligns national and partner investment behind one coordinated plan to improve health outcomes.
- Ghana committed US$1.4 million for contraceptives, including condoms, implants and injectables, exceeding its commitment under the UNFPA Supplies Compact by more than 300 percent.
- Honduras committed US$944,585 for contraceptives in 2026, with projected investment rising to US$1,133,500 in 2027, signalling growing domestic investment.
- Nigeria announced an investment of over US$ 1 million for life-saving maternal health medicines, secured under the UNFPA Maternal and Newborn Health Accelerator.
- Senegal committed US$886,000 for contraceptives under the UNFPA Supplies Partnership Compact and pledged to scale up the E-MOTIVE approach, including the calibrated drape, which helps earlier and more accurate detection of life-threatening bleeding after childbirth.
- Zambia committed US$7.5 million for reproductive health supplies and an additional US$4.5 million for last-mile distribution to ensure supplies reach women in remote areas. The commitment builds on US$11.5 million already invested by the Government through the UNFPA Supplies Compact between 2023 and 2025.
Quotes from governments and partners
- H.E. Dr. Ibrahima Sy, Minister of Health, Republic of Senegal:
“This partnership with UNFPA is the symbol of our collective commitment to protecting life, promoting the dignity of women and girls, and building a future where every mother, every child, every family benefits from quality care.” - Pio Smith, UNFPA Deputy Executive Director for Programme a.i.:
“This progress is not accidental, it is the result of courageous political will, and tonight we celebrate the leaders in this room who have transformed that political will into action.” - H.E Eduardo Midence, Vice Minister of Health, Honduras:
“Sexual and reproductive health should not be seen as an expense. It must be understood as one of the strategic pillars for building more stable, productive and just societies.” - Dr. Kennedy Lishimpi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Republic of Zambia:
“Reproductive health commodities are not donor commodities, they are essential health commodities that must be financed, managed, and delivered as part of our national health system and our broader Universal Health Coverage agenda.” - Dr. John Koku Awoonor Williams, Technical Adviser to the Minister of Health, Ghana:
“Ghana views health sovereignty as taking ownership of our people’s health outcomes, including life-saving commodities. In a shifting donor landscape, self-reliance is a policy choice and a budget line, not just a slogan” - Christophe Payot, Permanent Representative of Belgium to the United Nations, Geneva:
"We reaffirm, unequivocally, our commitment to sexual and reproductive health and rights — including expanding access to essential reproductive, maternal and newborn health commodities. And we have chosen to act on that commitment. Because in times of crisis, this is not where you step back — this is where you step up." - Anne Goedert, Permanent Representative of Luxembourg to the United Nations, Geneva:
"At a time when funding cuts threaten hard-won progress, we must not retreat from our commitments. We must act collectively to protect and expand access to life-saving health commodities. Luxembourg continues to stand alongside UNFPA and all committed partners to support the health, rights and futures of women and girls everywhere." - Dr. Samukeliso Dube, Executive Director of FP2030:
“This is what real leadership looks like: sustained investment in women’s health supplies, systems, and access. We look forward to working with more governments and partners to turn commitments into action and close the financing gap that continues to hold back the health and potential of millions of women and girls.” - Janet Ginnard, Director of Strategy at Unitaid:
“Country leadership must be matched by partner commitment as we work together to expand access to critical maternal and newborn health products. These financial commitments must now translate into action–strengthening procurement, regulatory and service delivery systems so that quality, life-saving products reach the women and newborns who need them most.”
Media contact: Anna Jefferys, jefferys@unfpa.org, media@unfpa.org
