MATERNAL MORTALITY

A NEGLECTED TRAGEDY

Abstract

Objective: More than half a million maternal deaths occurred worldwide each year and 98% of these
are in developing world. The objectives of the study were to calculate maternal mortality rate and determine the major
causes of maternal mortality. Design: A prospective study. Place & duration of study: Department of Obstetric &
Gynaecology Unit-I, Allied Hospital, Faisalabad from 01.01.2002 to 31.12.2002. Subjects & Methods: All maternal
deaths during this period were included after taking detailed history and examination. Results: There were total 25
maternal deaths and Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) was 557/100,000 live births. The main causes were hemorrhage,
septicemia & eclampsia. Conclusion: To achieve the objective of reduction in MMR, we must enhance emergency
obstetric care with the adoption of the fast referral system particularly in the far-flung rural areas of Pakistan.