Nepal tackling maternal mortality

New figures show that Nepal has seen drastic improvements in maternal mortality rates since the turn of the century.

Statistics that have been released by the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) show the number of deaths per 100,000 child births has more than halved since the 1990s. The latest research shows the rate went from 536 to 229 between 1996 and 2008.

A statement from the organisation stressed the improvements must be considered a relative triumph given the major challenges that face the country in terms of the provision of healthcare.

The ODI also said this change had come without any notable increase in income during "protracted insurgency".

But according to a report from eKantipur, death as a result of childbirth remains one of the biggest issues in the country, with ODI representatives claiming more needs to be done to address financial and political inequalities.

Global records indicate that around 350,000 women still fall victim to maternal mortality every year.

Posted by Carla Mackenzie