THE World Health Organizations (WHO) states in a fact sheet published online in May 2014 that “about 800 women die from pregnancy- or childbirth-related complications around the world every day.”
“In 2013, 289,000 women died during and following pregnancy and childbirth. Almost all of these deaths occurred in low-resource settings, and most could have been prevented,” it added.
Most of these deaths can be avoided as the necessary medical interventions exist and are well known. The key obstacle is pregnant women’s lack of access to quality skilled care before, during and after childbirth.
The major direct causes of maternal morbidity and mortality include haemorrhage, infection, high blood pressure, unsafe abortion, and obstructed labour. These complications may arise unexpectedly. Investing in health systems – especially in training midwives and in making emergency obstetric care available round-the-clock – is key to reducing maternal mortality.
International nongovernment organization Save the Children cited WHO’s report on the top five causes of deaths in newborns include prematurity or preterm deaths, complications during birth such as asphyxia and neonatal infections, pneumonia, sepsis or severe infections, and diarrhea.
Save the Children’s global study on newborn deaths released 2014 revealed that the Philippines is one of the top 10 countries in the world with the greatest gap in equality for newborn deaths between poorest and wealthiest, and between rural and urban households. Babies born to the poorest and hardest to reach groups are most at risk of dying within few days after birth.
In order to reduce the child mortality rate of the Philippines, Save the Children urged the government to improve health care services and facilities to ensure safe delivery and care of newborns.
“Safe childbirth through a skilled birth attendant, ensuring delivery in quality health facilities, and easy access to referral systems are essential to lower overall child mortality. Many of these deaths annually in Philippines could be averted simply by having someone around who can make prompt decision and knows the importance of safe delivery to make sure the birth took place safely, and knowing what to do in an emergency,” the NGO said.