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Why Maternal Death Matters

NGOs working in the field of sexual and reproductive health believe that keeping Africa's mothers alive will help their children stay that way too. In sub-Saharan Africa, women have one-in-16 lifetime risks of dying from a complication related to pregnancy or childbirth. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that if a woman dies, her children - not just newborns, but any surviving siblings - are at least three times more likely to die. They are less likely to go to school or to have adequate healthcare; they are more likely to be sexually abused and become malnourished. If one or both parents have died of AIDS, and particularly if they live in a community where many other adults have also died, these risks are heightened. Sexual and reproductive health - which encompasses contraception, obstetric and gynaecological care, safe abortion, HIV/AIDS and prevention of sexually transmitted infections - is considered key to keeping women and their children healthy. But many couples cannot get the contraception they need to spare their families as they would wish. In many countries the abortions are illegal but women have them anyway; according to WHO figures, 78,000 of the 529,000 maternal deaths a year are caused by unsafe abortion. Pre- and postnatal care in the developing world is obviously crucial to the health of mothers and babies. Many women in Africa give birth at home, accompanied by traditional birth attendants who have some professional training. But when things go wrong - often in pregnancies which had been considered risk free - poverty and lack of transport infrastructure means that women who need emergency obstetric treatment are unable to reach it.

Sue George, The Guardian Weekly, July 1-7, 2005