May 14 which is marked for the celebration of Mother’s day reveals a sad picture on the status of motherhood in India. According to the statistics released by UNICEF// in India every five minutes a woman during childbirth. When compared to the world scenario this accounts to more than 20% of the maternal deaths. In India for every 100 000 live births there are about 540 maternal deaths.

There is an increase in the number of maternal deaths than those seen a centaury ago despite the evolution in science and technology and innovation of the latest gajets in the medical field. In rural India, the figure is even higher at 619, according to facts and figures brought out by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).Maternal mortality is generally defined as the death of a woman during pregnancy or delivery, or within 42 days of the end of pregnancy from a pregnancy-related cause.

Approximately 30 million women in the country experience pregnancy annually, and 27 million have live births. Nearly 136,000 maternal deaths occur annually, most of which can be prevented, says the UNICEF study. States with high maternal mortality rate (MMR) include Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. "Approaches leading to reduction in maternal deaths and safe motherhood need to address a diverse range of issues, from awareness campaigns using community-level mobilisers and animators, improving infrastructure and providing reliable emergency obstetrics care," said a health ministry official.

The major causes of maternal death are excessive bleeding during childbirth (common in home deliveries), obstructed and prolonged labor, infection, unsafe abortion, disorders related to high blood pressure and anemia. Forty-seven percent of maternal deaths in rural India are attributed to excessive bleeding and anemia resulting from poor nutritional practices. Further contributing to MMR, only 15 percent of mothers receive complete antenata
'"/>




Page: 1 2 3
Related medicine news :

1. Breastfeeding Revisited thanks to WHO and UNICEF
2. Indian Olympic Association And UNICEF To Collaborate On HIV/AIDS Awareness
3. WHO, UNICEF Issue New Guidelines For Oral Rehydration Salts
4. UNICEF To Launch A Programme For Zimbabwe Children
5. UNICEF To Help For The Betterment Of Refugee Kids in Chhattisgarh
6. UNICEF Ties Up With US Basketball Association To Fight AIDS
7. Asian Cricket Council and UNICEF Join Hands for Global AIDS Campaign
8. Indian Scientist to Help Reduce Infant Mortality in Africa: UNICEF
9. UNICEF Provides 1,000 ITNs to Help Combat Malaria Outbreak in Jamaica
10. UNICEF to Help Children Fight AIDS
11. Facts about Common Cold and Flu