0.35m women die during pregnancy worldwide

Friday, September 21, 2012 - Peshawar—Participants at a dialogue stressed the need for proper legislation regarding Maternal Heath in Khyber Pahktunkhwa in order to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) till 2015. The dialogue titled “Saving mothers in communities “ organized by Khwendo Kor in collaboration with Mercy Corps and Research Advocacy Fund (RAF) held here at a local hotel on Thursday . The participants were including Executive District Officer (EDO) health Peshawar Dr Abd-ur-Rashid Khattak, District Coordinator NP&FP&PHC Dr Sheeda Husain, Other Health Experts Dr Saeed-ur-Rehman, a Project coordinator Khwendo kor for KP/FATA, Miss Belqis Ismail.

They shared their views about Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) and expressed their grave concern over increase in MMR in the country particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).and called for proper legislation regarding MMR so that the ratio could be reduced to 140 from 280 every year as per the MDGs’ commitment of 2015. Otherwise it will be impossible for Pakistan to fulfill their international obligations. They termed the MMR as a crime saying that it is preventable, but due worse poverty conditions, lack of awareness in community especially in rural areas, traditional bearers (Mostly of delivery cases being occurred at home in the country) and the government’s negligence.

While giving detailed presentation, Dr Saeed-ur-Rehman said that more than 350,000 women died from preventable complications related to pregnancy and childbirth around the world every year. He said that women in developing countries had disproportionately high maternal mortality and morbidity as compared to developed countries while MMR in 2008 was the highest in third world countries as 290 out of 100,000 but in contrast to developed countries the ratio is 14 out of 100,000. He said unfortunately Pakistan’s rank is 3rd in thw irld with highesr estimated number of maternal deaths behind India.