UNFPA Unveils Report On Maternal Mortality, Others
NEW YORK, 15 May: The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) has said deaths resulting from pregnancy and childbirth including mothers and babies are higher than the combined fatalities arising from Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), Tuberculosis, and malaria.
The Fund has also estimated that some 700.000 more mid-wives (jordemødre) are needed to provide universal access to skilled care at birth.
This revelation was made by Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director of UNFPA, in a message to mark this years International Day of the Mid-wife.
The Fund claimed an estimated 529.000 women die annually from complications of pregnancy and childbirth, 4 million newborn die, and another 4 million babies are stillborn while 10 million more women suffer debilitating injuries such as infertility, uterine prolapse or obstetric fistula worldwide.
Noting that skilled assistance is critical to lowering the number of women killed or injured while giving birth, the Fund estimated that ensuring skilled attendance in delivery, backed up by emergency obstetric care (fødselspleje), could reduce maternal deaths by about 75 per cent.
The Fund called for greater investment in training, recruitment, pay and working conditions of midwives, noting that, “the world can make greater progress in improving maternal health by ensuring access to skilled attendance at delivery, emergency obstetric care if complications arise and family planning. These reproductive health services save lives”.
It urged governments around the world to increase investment in reproductive health as a matter of urgent priority.
“With this year marking the 20th anniversary of the Safe Motherhood Initiative, there is no better time than now to strengthen health systems and health work-forces to protect the health of mothers, children and families,” the Fund said.
Kilde: The Push Journal
