Enligthen all on maternal care

 

In Summary

• Indeed, a recent global survey by a UN agency, the Save the Children Fund, ranks Tanzania among the “world’s worst places for mothers”.

The death of women during pregnancy and child delivery worldwide stands at 200,000 annually.

Given the generally poor quality medical care across the world due to the chronic inequitable resource distribution, that doesn’t look like really huge number.

However, it becomes disturbing when one learns that out of those, 13,000 of them occur in Tanzania! Indeed, a recent global survey by a UN agency, the Save the Children Fund, ranks ours among the “world’s worst places for mothers.”

Various studies reveal that less that 50 per cent of expecting mothers in the country attend pre-natal clinic which is essential in determining effective care for the mother and the unborn child.

Pre-natal care is also important in forestalling delivery complications that endanger not only the baby, but the mother as well.

Other surveys show that up to 70 per cent of mothers in rural Tanzania give birth at home, even in areas where healthcare centres are within reach.

It means we need more campaigns to enlighten families on the essence maternal clinics and giving birth in hospital.

Reports that some women are wary of delivering in hospitals due to alleged crudity of medical staff should be investigated if more of our expecting mothers are to have trust in hospitals.