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Maternal Health

The health of mothers has long been acknowledged to be a cornerstone of public health.

1,600 women die every day as a result of pregnancy and childbirth

The health of mothers has long been acknowledged to be a cornerstone of public health.

The fifth UN Millennium Development Goal is to improve maternal health - measured by a reduction of the maternal mortality ratio by three-quarters between 1990 and 2015. Yet maternal mortality in many developing countries has barely improved over the past decade.

The statistics are distressing. A woman in the poorest country has more than 100 times greater risk of dying in pregnancy and childbirth than her counterpart in a developed country. This difference in the risk of death represents the widest disparity of all human development indicators.

What can be done? Many of these risks can be readily treated and managed with inexpensive medical interventions. The major causes for maternal death are inadequate health systems, poor water and sanitation quality which lead to unsafe delivery practices, undernourishment, lack of education and lack of decision-making power among women.

In 2005, fourteen hundred women died every day in pregnancy and childbirth. In the context of maternal health, these deaths are the tip of the iceberg since for every woman who dies many more will survive to suffer from life-long disabilities.

The death of a mother goes beyond the terrible loss of her own life. It not only causes disruption to the immediate family, but in many cases deprives that family of a source of income, education and economic stability. This has detrimental effects on the health of all, but it is particularly devastating to the physical and psychological development of her children.

The majority of women die because they do not receive the health care they need. Most of these deaths could be prevented if more women were literate and had access to basic medical care during pregnancy, childbirth and the post-partum period. Countries that provide basic maternal and newborn health services, such as skilled birth attendants and access to emergency obstetric care, have been able to reduce maternal deaths within a short period of time for a minimal cost per capita.

Source: UN World Health Report 2005

 

 

 

Midwives Supervisory Workshop to assist India reduce maternal mortality