INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Kathmandu, September 14
Considering the investment and efforts put in by the government in the field ofmaternal health, it is unlikely that
the government will meet the target of reducing maternal mortality ratio to 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030 as outlined in the
Sustainable Development Goals for Nepal, 2016-2030.
According to the National Demographic Health Survey 2016, the maternal mortality ratio
for Nepal was 239 per 100,000 live births for the seven year period before the survey
The confidence interval for the 2016 maternal mortality ratio ranges from 134 to 345 deaths per 100,000 live births.
Achieving the SDGs
target of a global MMR to fewer than 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030 needs continued investment in maternal health
research, programmes and policy
&There should be at least 90 per cent institutional deliveries to bring down the MMR
But currentlythere is only 53 per cent of institutional deliveries,& said Bhim Singh Tinkari, director, Family Welfare Division, Department
of Health Services.
Safe abortion too plays a significant role in lowering the MMR
As per the division 58 per cent of illegal abortion is taking place in the country.
&We should make the programmes related to maternal
health effective and inclusive if we are to meet the sustainable development goals
Safe abortion services should be made accessible
Travel allowances should be properly given to women to encourage institutional delivery
Use of family planning methods should be increased
Awareness about antenatal health check-up and institutional delivery should be increased,& he said.
Meeting the 2030 targets is a big
challenge as there are no parturition centres in many areas in the country
&If we are to reduce the MMR then we must increase the number of parturition centres in remote areas,& added Tinkari
The health centres should also be equipped with skilled manpower and equipment, said Aruna Uprety, a public health specialist.
&Proper
coordination between the three tiers of government should be ensured to meet the target
We are working on a roadmap for safe motherhood
This roadmap will explain the necessaryprogrammes and policies required for safe motherhood,& added Tinkari.
&A pregnant woman must get
examined at least four times to avoid the risk of maternal and child death
Women in rural areas still do not visit health centres for antenatal and postnatal check-ups,& said Uprety.
Expansion of 24-hour emergency
obstetric care services in public health facilities is a must
High blood pressure, nutritional status, untimely arrival at health centres for delivery are also some of the causes for maternal mortality,
according to Chhatra Amatya, former director of Department of Management at Department of Health Services.
The majority of maternal deaths
Many maternal deaths are caused by postpartum haemorrhage, infections, unsafe abortion and other delivery-related complications
&An integrated approach should be taken to overcome all such problems to meet the 2030 targets,& said Amatya.
&There should be preparedness
and proper referral system to help women get quality health care,& added Amatya.
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