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Communities asked to reduce maternal mortality

 

Presidential Initiative on Safe Motherhood chief director Chimwemwe Chipungu has called on communities in the country to work together in reducing maternal and neonatal deaths.

Chipungu was speaking on Tuesday at Mpalale Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) ground in Dedza during a safe motherhood open day organised by his office to educate communities on HIV and Aids, safe motherhood and teenage pregnancies.

Chipungu: This is not a healthy situation
Chipungu: This is not a healthy situation

He said it is worrisome to note that some pregnant women in the communities continue to deliver with the assistance of traditional birth attendants (TBAs) whom he described as less equipped.

“Some pregnant women still do not consider going to a health facility to deliver. All they can do is to go to the TBA and have their baby delivered. This is not a healthy situation because the TBAs do not have the expertise to handle complications which may develop during delivery,” said Chipungu.

Currently, the mortality rate among pregnant women in Malawi is at 574 per 100 000 live births, according to Chipungu.

He warned young girls against indulging in sex at a tender age which results in teenage pregnancies.

“Research has shown that most mothers, who die due to post-delivery haemorrhage, are those that began giving birth at a young age. This makes it hard for health personnel to handle their cases. As a result they die,” warned Chipungu.

Dedza district health officer Solomon Jere commended the Presidential Initiative on Safe Motherhood for educating rural masses on maternal health and safe motherhood.

“We are mandated to carry out such activities as a district hospital. However, other commitments and responsibilities make us fail to reach out to everyone with such messages. We thank you for complementing our efforts,” he said.

In his remarks, group village head (GVH) Mpalale promised to continue encouraging women to attend antenatal clinics and deliver at a health facility to help build a better and healthier nation. n

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