GUWAHATI, April 11 – One woman somewhere in India dies from pregnancy-related complications every five minutes. The current maternal mortality rate in Assam accounts for 401 in every 1,00,000 live births vis-?-vis the pan-Indian figure, which stands at 407 per 1,00,000 live births. These maternal deaths are higher especially in rural areas and urban slums where utilisation of maternal and neonatal health services is well below national levels.
Alarming statistics indeed as the nation observes the Safe Motherhood Day today. It is with this objective of disseminating information and spreading awareness that the Government of India had declared April 11 as the National Safe Motherhood Day. The safe motherhood programme intends to avoid any death related to a mother who is prepared to give a new life to a child through adequate awareness, information and early management of maternal complications.
UNICEF that has been behind the drive to promote awareness on this very crucial issue, has the following guidelines to prevent maternal deaths: Get the pregnant woman checked three times during pregnancy; Give her two shots of TT and iron tablets for 100 days; Always have a delivery in the presence of a skilled attendant; and Watch for complications and do not delay in deciding to seek treatment at the nearest facility immediately, if they occur.
For a woman to die from pregnancy and childbirth is a social injustice. Such deaths are rooted in women’s powerlessness and inequality in getting access to education, finances, basic health care services and other resources. The claims that women and children should both survive well and enjoy life have been recognised as human rights embodied in laws at the highest national and international levels. Safe motherhood is therefore, not pursued as an individual or autonomous quest but also as a community and public health goal.