Top women's health news

Maternal mortalities 'on the rise' in Belgaum, India

Dawn Parker — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:15:12 +0100

The number of maternal deaths in Belgaum district, Karnataka, India, is reportedly rising - a trend put down to the absence of medical experts at community health centres and the district general hospital.

In 2011-12, the area recorded a total of 83 maternal deaths. For 2012-13, the number increased to 98.

Upgraded Tanzanian health centre records zero maternal deaths

Dawn Parker — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:15:12 +0100

A rural Tanzanian health centre has announced that for 2013 to date, it has not recorded a single maternal death - despite treating six times as many pregnant women as five years ago.

Mlimba Health Centre is located 150 km from Ifakara district, Morogoro region. It used to treat around 40 mothers every month, referring a further 150 from remote villages to a hospital in Ifakara.

Adverse maternal outcomes 'less common' at home

Dawn Parker — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:15:03 +0100

A team of Dutch researchers has found that when babies are delivered at home rather than in hospitals, the likelihood of adverse maternal outcomes is actually lower - but only for low-risk women who have previously given birth.

Kenya establishes Fistula research centre

Dawn Parker — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:15:02 +0100

A research centre for obstetric fistula has been established at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in the North Rift, Kenya - addressing concerns that cases are on the rise in the region.

Younger and older mothers 'at higher risk'

Dawn Parker — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 12:45:02 +0100

Younger and older mothers are at significantly higher risk of adverse outcomes during childbirth, according to a new study published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Russian maternal mortality 'fallen by 55%' since 2005

Dawn Parker — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 14:45:09 +0100

Newly obtained data shows that maternal mortality rates in Russia have fallen by more than one-half in the last eight years, prime minister Dmitry Medvedev has announced.

Since 2005 - when the National Healthcare Project was launched - maternal mortality has been successfully reduced by 55 per cent, Mr Medvedev told deputy premiers this week.

Fistula rate '5.5%' in western Uganda

Dawn Parker — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 09:15:02 +0100

Uganda's Western region has the country's highest rate of obstetric fistula, new data shows, with some 5.5 per cent of mothers developing the debilitating condition during childbirth.

Ugandan maternal deaths 'declining by 5.1% annually'

Dawn Parker — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 11:15:02 +0100

Maternal mortalities in Uganda have declined at a rate of 5.1 per cent per year since 2003, a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) claims.

According to Countdown to 2015, the country recorded 524 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in 2000. Ten years later, the figure had been reduced to 310 deaths per 100,000 live births.

UNFPA reports 2012 accomplishments

Dawn Parker — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 09:45:02 +0100

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has published a report on its activities in 2012, which incorporated efforts to improve family planning, maternal and newborn health across some 156 countries.

MDG 5 is Ethiopia's 'worst challenge'

Dawn Parker — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 10:15:07 +0100

In order for Ethiopia to meet the UN's Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), reducing maternal mortality represents the "worst challenge", delegates at a summit in Japan have been told.