TIMERGARA, April 9: Speakers at a seminar on Tuesday said high maternal mortality rate could be reduced in the country by massive public awareness, especially among mothers, of their health.

Khwendo Kor (KK), a non-governmental organisation, arranged the seminar titled ‘Causes, impacts and prevention of maternal mortality in Dir Lower’ at the district headquarters hospital here.

Around 50 people, including doctors, lady health supervisors, lady health workers, lady health visitors, nurses and health technicians, attended the seminar.

KK district advocacy coordinator Amin Jan introduced the “Saving Mothers in Communities” project with the collaboration of Mercy Corps.

He said Pakistan was ranked third in maternal mortality after India and Nigeria. Mr Jan said most deliveries in rural areas were conducted at home by unskilled women which was an alarming situation.

He said the main cause of maternal mortality rate was postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), which was preventable.

Senior medical officer Dr Khaista Rehman told participants that five million women became pregnant every year in Pakistan and 75 per cent women in rural areas and 65 per cent in urban areas delivered babies at home.

He said lack of timely care resulted in maternal deaths, whose rate was higher in Pakistan than that in other parts of the world.

Dr Rehman said one mother died every 20 minute in the country suggesting that three mothers died in one hour. He said in Pakistan, one in 89 women died in labour. He discussed different causes of maternal death and declared PPH its main reason.

The medical officer said due to 70 per cent deliveries at home, mothers did not receive timely care for prevention of PPH. —Correspondent