There exists consensus that the maternal mortality rate represents an important indicator of a nation’s overall health. Yet the latest United Nations figures paint a picture that ought to give us all cause for alarm.
The UN agency for population — UNFPA — has just released its State of the World Population Report 2017. It finds that maternal mortality accounts for 28 percent of the global total. Or in other words, these deaths translate into a maternal mortality ratio (MMR) of 127 deaths per 100,000 live-births. The news, however, is not all bad given that countries such as Bangladesh, Laos, East Timor and Indonesia are seen as likely able to bring their MMRs below 70 deaths per 100,000 by the 2030 deadline, in accordance with the UN Sustainable Goals (SDGs). Yet others like Pakistan join the list of those that are well on the road to failing to meet the above, including Afghanistan, India, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Myanmar, Cambodia and the Philippines.
In Pakistan, like most developing countries, the poorest women have the least options when it comes to family planning and access to antenatal care. They are also are most likely to give birth without the assistance of a doctor or midwife.
According to the Population Council — an international, non-profit, non-governmental organisation — nearly 8.6 million women become pregnant here in Pakistan. Of these, 1.2 million (or 15 percent) women are likely to face obstetric complications. Indeed, just a decade ago, the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (PDHS) 2006-2007 estimated the country’s MMR to be 276 per 100,000 live-births.
As per current estimates, Pakistan loses 14,000 women die in childbirth every year; translating into one death every 37 minutes.
It doesn’t have to be this way. Yet the state has shown little interest when it comes to investing in meeting the unfulfilled needs of family planning. A good place to start would be the introduction of a nationwide policy in this regard; something that has been urged by all the provincial health departments on a priority basis. There is no time to lose. Especially considering that of all maternal deaths — some 4,500 are could be easily preventable if only Pakistan had a strengthened healthcare system, particularly at the primary level.
The Population Council has identified different networks that can be helpful at the community level to record Pakistan’s maternal death data. Lady Health Workers (LHWs) remain the best resource; however, other networks can supplement data collection.