Mothers are Healthier as Indicated by 50% Lower MMR

Progressive is the country where mothers are ruddy, hale and hearty. A heartening evidence of the world heading in the direction of advancement and development came from the most authoritative sources, the UN and the World Bank. The joint report has notified that the Maternal Mortality Rates (MMR) – defined as a woman dying during pregnancy, during childbirth or within six weeks of giving birth – have seen a commendable 44% fall since 1990. Compared to 385 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1990, the MMR has come down to 216 per 100,000 live births in 2015.

As part of the UN Millennium Development Goals the targeted drop was envisioned much higher at 75 percent, yet the news has infused a new lease of life in the strenuous efforts of the medical community. Dr Flavia Bustreo, WHO Assistant Director-General of the Family, Women’s and Children’s Health, resounded the hope and enthusiasm when he said,“That’s real progress, although it is not enough. We know that we can virtually end these deaths by 2030 and this is what we are committed to work towards.”

The most pleasant surprise came from the least expected quarters. Nine underdeveloped countries— Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Iran, Laos, Maldives, Bhutan, Mongolia, Rwanda and Timor-Leste— reported an exemplary 75% reduction in the rates. Moreover, Eastern Asia scaled down the rate by 72 % with the maternal mortality ratio plummeting  from 95 deaths per 100,000 lives births to 27 deaths per 100,000 live births.

Attesting to its aggressive battle to ensure quality maternity care, the figures in India have also scaled down from 560 maternal deaths in 1990  to 167 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2013.
While the US conspicuously figured in the zone peculiar to the developing countries.  The study found that the rates have rather swelled from 12 deaths per 100,000 in 1990 to 14 in 2015, double of its immediate neighbour Canada’s 7 maternal deaths per 100,000.

The report has reinstated the importance of education and good hygiene practices in improving maternal care, along with robust medical system. Encouraged by the figures, the revitalised UN is now focused on bringing it below 70 by 2030 under the new Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).

References:
http://www.newsweek.com/global-maternal-mortality-rates-drop-nearly-half-1990-un-393525
Maternal Mortality Rates Are Falling Around the World
http://www.in.undp.org/content/india/en/home/mdgoverview/#goal5
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=116061