Introduction:

Maternal mortality is a public health problem at the international level. Its behavior is an expression of the comprehensive functioning of health systems, as well as the advancement of women's sexual and reproductive rights.

Objective:

Compare the maternal mortality indicators of Brazil and Cuba in the period 2005-2017.

Methods:

The implemented methodology responds to a documentary analysis. The main databases of the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System of Brazil, and the statistical yearbooks published by the Ministry of Public Health of Cuba and the National Office of Statistics and Information were used as sources of information.

Results:

The target on maternal mortality within the Sustainable Development Goals is a requirement currently met by both countries. In Cuba, the figures for the Maternal Mortality Ratio remain at values always lower than those of the country itself in 2005; however, as of 2013 they show an increasing behavior. In Brazil, on the other hand, they are higher than those of Cuba and never decrease in relation to 2005, and present a marked growing trend.

Conclusions:

The maternal health programs analyzed for Brazil and Cuba show differentiated progress and challenges. The behavior of the indicators analyzed reaffirms the need to intensify actions to reduce maternal deaths in both countries, with more urgency for Brazil.

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