Maternal deaths falling - WHO

Thursday September 16th, 2010

Thousands fewer women worldwide are now dying during pregnancy as efforts to improve health take effect, according to figures published today.

The number of deaths worldwide has fallen by 34 per cent in nearly 20 years, according to a report published by international agencies including the World Health Organisation.

According to the latest estimate, there were 358,000 deaths in 2008 - compared with more than half a million in 1990.

Experts said the reduction was "encouraging" but not nearly fast enough to meet the global target set for 2015.

The major causes of death are infections, blood pressure, unsafe abortion and bleeding after childbirth, according to the report from WHO, the World Bank, the United Nations Population Fund and UNICEF.

The biggest reduction in deaths has been in Asia - where the numbers have halved. In sub-Saharan Africa, the reduction was 26 per cent.

WHO director general Dr Margaret Chan said: "Countries where women are facing a high risk of death during pregnancy or childbirth are taking measures that are proving effective; they are training more midwives, and strengthening hospitals and health centres to assist pregnant women.

"No woman should die due to inadequate access to family planning and to pregnancy and delivery care."

Anthony Lake, of UNICEF, added: "To achieve our global goal of improving maternal health and to save women's lives we need to do more to reach those who are most at risk.

"That means reaching women in rural areas and poorer households, women from ethnic minorities and indigenous groups, and women living with HIV and in conflict zones."

Tags: Africa | Asia | Childbirth and Pregnancy | Women’s Health & Gynaecology | World Health

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