MATERNAL DEATHS REMAIN HIGH DESPITE INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS SAYS NEW REPORT
Each year more than 525,000 women die from complications of pregnancy and
childbirth. In addition, over 50 million experience pregnancy-related
complications, 15 million of which lead to long-term illness or disability.
For years, this has been the single greatest cause of premature death and
disability among women of reproductive age in the developing world. Today
maternal deaths are second only to deaths from AIDS.
The tragedy is that almost every one of these deaths is avoidable. Failures
to address the needs of pregnant and birthing women are a social injustice
of huge proportions.
A new report from the Panos Institute (London), "Birth rights: new
approaches to safe motherhood", highlights the fact that since 1987, when an
International Safe Motherhood Initiative was adopted, there has been little
evidence of significant reductions in the number of women dying globally.
The report cites a number of factors that contribute to these deaths. Many
countries have practices enshrined in law and culture which inhibit women's
chances of surviving pregnancy and childbirth. Early marriage, for example,
can lead to childbearing before physical development is complete. Lack of
access to safe, legal abortion and advice is another example. This has
recently become harder in many parts of the world as a result of the
so-called 'gag' rule, which applies to organizations that receive aid funds
from the US for family planning. The rule requires recipients of US funds to
refrain from advocating for changes in abortion laws, or except in limited
circumstances, providing abortion information, counselling or services, even
with their own funds.
The impact in many developing countries has been immediate. In Nepal, a
country where 1 in 10 women die from pregnancy-related causes -
approximately half from unsafe abortion - the Family Planning Association of
Nepal (FPAN) has had to relinquish a relationship with USAID which had
lasted 26 years. "If I were to accept the restricted US funds," said FPAN
director general, Dr Nirmal K Bista, "I would be prevented from speaking in
my own country to my own government about a healthcare crisis I know
firsthand."
To see the full report, click on the hyperlink below.

SOURCE: Panos, 27 November 2001
email: [email protected]
Birh Rights:
http://www.panos.org.uk/briefing/birth_rights_files/birth_rights_cover.htm