International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Latest statistics published by the World Health Organization indicate that maternal mortality rates remain largely unchanged since 1990.

Although 27 per cent fewer children died before their fifth birthday in 2007 than 17 years previously, there were still an estimated 400 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births.

The majority of the cases were reported in sub-Saharan Africa, where access to medical attention before and during childbirth is often found to be lacking.

Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary General has expressed his "outrage" at the lack of progress made during the last two decades.

Echoing his view is Oxfam's Claire Seaward, who says the failure to reduce maternal mortality rates demonstrates the need for governments across the world to "really invest" in health services for poor women.

She added: "These services need to be free, public services that have trained midwives and affordable and appropriate medicines."

Last month, Dr Saira Yunis, a gynaecologist at Jinnah Hospital, Pakistan, claimed that many women's lives in the developing world could be saved if midwives were provided with more effective training.