Maternal deaths during pregnancy on the rise: Family Health Bureau

Heart disease, respiratory diseases and obstetric haemorrhage main causes

The number of women who die during or soon after pregnancy is on the rise in Sri Lanka, a new survey found.

According to Family Health Bureau statistics, 64% or, 113 of all maternal deaths last year were not directly related to conditions brought on by pregnancy.

The leading causes of maternal deaths were heart disease, respiratory diseases and obstetric hemorrhage, said National Programme ManagerMaternal & Child Morbidity & Mortality Surveillance, Dr. Kapila Jayaratne.

Respiratory diseases are the second main cause for maternal deaths, while most maternal deaths are reported from distant and difficult areas.

“There were many socially-stigmatized pregnancies ending as maternal deaths”, he said, adding that, more than 72% of women who died were from rural and estate sectors.

Explaining the statistics, he said that, a significant proportion amounting to 26% of the women who died were over 35-years-old, while nearly half or, 48% died in their third or later pregnancy.

Death at an advanced stage of pregnancy accounted for 68%, while more than 67% died post delivery.

Kurunegala, Colombo and Gampaha districts reported higher number of deaths with 12%, 11% and 10% respectively. However, the highest Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) was reported from Mullativu district. Kegalle, Trincomalee and Mannar are other districts with high MMRs.

The report also reveals that, most women were from low income families. Maternal deaths during the past year have left 118 children motherless.

Dr. Jayaratne said 'Super Centres' will be established in hospitals soon and a proper system established to lower the MMR.