Call for social movement to combat maternal death

12,000 die during childbirth a year

29 May 2010, 18:00 PM

Staff Correspondent

A social movement is a must to reduce maternal mortality in the country, speakers at a discussion said yesterday. An estimated 12,000 women die during childbirth a year, they said, adding that lack of awareness and access to healthcare and negligence towards women are responsible for maternal deaths. Highlighting the vulnerability of women in society, the speakers placed some recommendations at a discussion organised by the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad at Cirdap auditorium in the city. At the discussion titled 'Maternal Health Services: Perspective, reality and our duties', the women leaders and gynecologists said still 85 percent of deliveries take place at home and with the help of unskilled birth attendants, which is one of the reasons of high maternal mortality rate in the country. A large number of girls gets marry and become pregnant before their 19s when she is not biologically fit to be a mother, they said, adding the men should be made aware of the maternal health. At the same time, education for all, maternity leave for working women, antenatal and postnatal care and skilled birth attendants should be ensured. Violence against women and early marriage should be stopped in any way. The empowerment of women also needs to be ensured in this regard, they added. Acting President of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad Fawzia Moslem presided over the session. Secretary General of Bangladesh Medical Association Prof Sharfuddin Ahmed, Laila Arjumand Banu, Dr Rowshan Ara, Dr Iffat Ara, Dr Farhana Dewan, Dr Layla Anjuman Banu and General Secretary of the parishad Maleka Banu also spoke.