KARACHI, May 18: Illiteracy, anaemia, low use of contraceptives, inappropriate referral system and transportation are the major hurdles in preventing maternal mortality. This was stated by Prof (Dr) Sadiqua N. Jafarey, President National Committee for Maternal Health, on second day of a four-day workshop for journalists on “Gender justice and reproductive rights”, organized by the Pakistan Press Foundation with support of European Union on Wednesday.

She said that maternal mortality could be addressed by creating awareness among community and need-based strategies. She said reproductive health included safe motherhood, child health, HIV/AIDS, family planning and related aspects. “Unfortunately we do not have any national data to ascertain the actual ratio of maternal mortality and depend on approximate figures,” she added.

In Pakistan, she said, it was estimated that 340 to 500 mothers in 100,000 births died during pregnancies for not having good care, as 80 per cent of deliveries were handled at homes here. Around 25,000 to 30,000 mothers died annually in the country and many more suffered from temporary or permanent disability including fistula, a common complication, that could be prevented, she added.

Among these deaths, major cause was hemorrhage (bleeding at the time of delivery) contributing 21.2 per cent; second to hypertension, which contribute 18.7 per cent. “These all factors can be controlled,” she said.

“Some 15 out of 100 pregnant women have risks of complications,” she said.

Referring to a study done at JPMC in 1981-1992, she said that improper or delayed referral, family hesitation to take mother to hospital, absence of husband at the time of emergency, lack of realizing the magnitude of problem, non-availability of immediate transport and lack of finance were major problems for women during pregnancies.

Dr Jafarey said that her committee was preparing a strategy to control these deaths and work had already been started on the project. — PPI