NEW DELHI: India accounts for one of every four pregnancy-related deaths and has the third highest maternal mortality rate at 407 per 100,000 births leaving behind countries including Thailand and Malaysia that have a lower maternal mortality rate.

Now, in an effort to change this negative trend, the Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI) has taken up the theme of promoting information and practical demonstrations on `Optimising Labour and Delivery for Safe Motherhood' under its public awareness campaign called "Anmol Anchal".

According to the World Health Report 2003, `Make Every Mother and Child Count', an estimated 1.5 lakh maternal and one million newborn deaths take place every year in India. For every woman who dies, at least 30 suffer injuries and often even permanent disabilities. Most maternal deaths happen during the process of childbirth and immediately thereafter, points out the report.

The major causes of these deaths have been identified as haemorrhage (before and after), hypertension during pregnancy, anaemia, obstructed labour, infections after delivery and unsafe abortion.

Speaking about the problem, FOGSI president Shyam Desai said: "We have initiated the `Optimising Labour and Delivery for Safe Motherhood Campaign' to spread awareness and thereby advance the agenda for reproductive health in a number of ways. Reducing maternal mortality is not solely about saving women's lives; it is about increasing the general quality care and increase the information mothers-to-be receive before becoming pregnant. Educating women about pregnancy management will help them and the professionals treating them. We have to empower them and help them make responsible choices and allow them to lead healthy lives for themselves and their children."

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail