International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Namibian women are failing to access healthcare centres and subsequently do not receive the antenatal care they require, the country's Presidential Commission into the Ministry of Health and Social Services has found.

Uganda's maternal mortality rate is now 438 mothers per 100,000 live births - higher than the 2006 rate of 435, said Charles Zirazema, acting director of the population secretariat.

Speaking at a Kampala public dialogue, Mr Zirazema warned MPs that hopes of the country achieving Millennium Development Goal 5 (MDG 5) were slim.

Healthcare professionals attending a seminar in Pakistan yesterday (April 10th) said "massive public awareness" would be crucial in reducing the country's maternal mortality rate, the Dawn newspaper has reported.

Kenyan women from rural areas are at higher risk of exposure to sexual and reproductive health risks than their urban counterparts, a disparity identified by the Forum of African Women Educationalists (FAWE) as demonstrative of inadequate awareness and poor standards of education.

Indian women are thought to be facing an increased risk of maternal morbidity due to failings of staff and facilities at primary healthcare centres, it has been reported.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has donated essential obstetric care equipment over to Fiji's Ministry of Health to help boost the provision of maternal care in the country.

The Ugandan Ministry of Health suggests that there could be up to 200,000 women living with obstetric fistula in the country.

It is a condition which occurs when a hole develops between the bladder and vagina after complications during childbirth.

Consul general of the United States Embassy in Nigeria Jeffrey Hawkins has told fistula patients in the country that they will continue to receive support from the US government.

Obstetric fistula patients have been speaking about their experiences after completing vocational courses at the Fistula Rehabilitation and Reintegration Center in Bong County, Liberia.

The Monrovia News reports that 18 women earned certificates after training in soap making, tie and dye, cosmetology and tailoring.

Abimbola Fashola, wife of the Lagos State governor, has said that the key to improving the region's maternal and newborn health care is to share information.