Mozambique: At least 13 women die every day as a result of pregnancy or delivery complications

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Mozambique: At least 13 women die every day as a result of pregnancy or delivery complications

3:18 CAT | 03 Nov 2022

Photo: O País

At least 13 women die every day in Mozambique from causes related to pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum, Minister of Health Armindo Tiago has said, adding that the numbers are high and are of great concern to the government.

The Health sector estimates that, in 2017, there were 452 deaths per 100,000 people. Maternal mortality rate remains high in Mozambique, despite improvements in the Health sector such as the expansion of the health network and increases in human resources.

“The percentage of women who die from maternal causes is higher among the younger ones: around 24% of deaths of women aged 5 to 19 – meaning one out of four – is attributed to the maternal cause. This proportion decreases to 16% among women aged between 25 and 29,” the minister reported.

Minister Tiago explained that among the causes of death are obstetric haemorrhage before, during and after childbirth, complications from unsafe abortions and HIV/AIDS.

The situation causes other problems. For example, children whose mothers die during childbirth have only a 50% chance of surviving their first year.

“In our country, despite the remarkable progress in reducing under-five mortality, as reported in demographic health surveys, child mortality under five went from 153 in 2003 to 97 in 2011. Neonatal mortality is still a challenge. The most recent estimates indicate that neonatal mortality in the country was around 27 per 1,000 live births in 2017,” Tiago said.

This Wednesday, health professionals and government partners gathered to discuss the problem and, for the Minister of Health, rather than regretting and pointing fingers at each other, the two-day meeting should serve to find concrete and innovative solutions to accelerate the reduction of maternal, neonatal and child mortality.

Source: O País