Source: The Observer (Kampala)
A new report released by the World Health Organisation says maternal deaths in Uganda have been declining at the rate of 5.1% annually over the last 10 years.
As a result, the maternal mortality ratio has improved from 524 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2000 to 310 by 2010. Maternal mortality ratio refers to the number of women who die during pregnancy or childbirth, out of every 100,000 live births.
However, given the nature of statistics, such figures tend to be inconclusive. According to the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey 2011, the maternal mortality ratio in the seven years preceding the survey was 438. The difference between 310 and 438 is strikingly wide, but it can still be explained away as being within the statistical marginal of error.
Notwithstanding the confusing statistics, what appears to be clear is that maternal deaths have declined over the last 20 years. It was estimated at 600 in 1990, then declined to 524 in 2000, and now stands at 310 in 2010. In the East African region, only Rwanda has had a faster decline of 8.7% annually over the last ten years.
Thus the WHO report, released at the justended women's global conference in Malaysia, bears some good news spiced with bad news. For 310 mothers out of every 100,000 to die during childbirth is still one too many.
To put it into perspective, the Millennium development goal regarding maternal mortality targets 150 deaths by 2015, and it's highly unlikely Uganda can attain that in the remaining two years. That means we are still a long way off, notwithstanding the gains recorded over the last two decades.
Nevertheless, the latest statistics should serve as confirmation that with concerted efforts, Uganda can substantially reduce its maternal mortality rate even further. Challenges standing in the way of faster progress include the very rapid population growth and inadequate medical facilities.
With family planning measures accessible to more women, and adequate medical facilities in place, among other interventions, no mother should die while giving life.