KARACHI, Nov 21: Poverty, low literacy, malnourishment, inadequate health services and gender discrimination are the major causes of death among women during pregnancy related complications.

"Over 80 per cent of deaths occur due to haemorrhage, eclampsia, sepsis, ruptured uterus and abortion and that is a proof of inadequate maternal health in our society," said Dr Sadiqua Jafarey, President National Committee for Maternal Health, while talking to PPI at her office.

"Thousands of women suffer from temporary or permanent disability. Lifetime risk of maternal deaths in Pakistan is one in 38 as compared to one in 230 in Sri Lanka; one in 5,100 in the United Kingdom; and one in 6,000 in Sweden," she said.

Dr Jafarey said, "Young women face death at the prime time of their lives which are preventable. These deaths have profound consequences on their children who are not only deprived of love and comfort but are more vulnerable to death and diseases," she said.

She opined that about 25 per cent of all babies born were of low birth weight (i.e. less than 2.5kg). Every year about 400,000 to 500,000 babies on an average are either born dead or die within the first week of their birth and that is a reflection of the nutritional and health status, and the healthcare available to the mothers.

In this scenario, she said that skilled healthcare providers could take care of the mothers through pregnancy and childbirth. They could deal with the problems and refer them appropriately and timely for full medical treatment, she added.

Discussing the role of Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs), she said that it was neither necessary nor possible for each delivery to be attended by a doctor. In Europe, particularly in Sweden, even before the advent of modern technology, professionally trained midwives used to play role in reducing maternal morbidity and mortality, she said. A midwife was the key person providing maternal care, she added.

Unfortunately, midwifery was a neglected profession here in Pakistan, she said adding that there is a critical need for providing training to competent midwives. According to reports, less than 30 per cent women have access to proper care during pregnancy while over 55 per cent are anaemic.

One third of the pregnant and half of the lactating women eat less than 70 per cent of the calories recommended for them. Just over 54 per cent of the pregnant women are fully immunized against tetanus. About 95 per cent deliveries take place at home are attended by untrained and traditional birth attendants.

During three decades, the maternal mortality rate has been reported as 899, 710 and 883 respectively at Jinnah Post Medical Centre. Similar situation has been reported in other hospitals. - PPI