From rxpgnews.com
10 percent of national maternal deaths in Madhya Pradesh: UNICEF
By IANS,
Feb 18, 2007 - 3:03:31 PM
Bhopal, Feb 18 - Madhya Pradesh registers 10 percent of the number of women dying at childbirth in India, according to UNICEF, which has called for a sustained commitment towards bettering the health of women and children in the state and the country.
'India contributes 20 percent of the maternal deaths in the world which can be reduced only if there is a sustained commitment to deliver for the benefit of women and children,' UNICEF state head Hamid El Bashir said here Friday while addressing NGOs supporting the promotion of safe motherhood.
Bashir said civil society needed to engage communities at a high level to push accountabilities within the administrative system.
The state's maternal mortality ratio -, the number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, is 379 and is considered to be one of the six worst performing states of India.
Around 27-30 women die every day in the state within 42 days of delivery. Pregnancy complications and unsafe abortions are cited as the main reasons for the rising MMR.
Appreciating the role of the media in highlighting the issue, Anil Gulati of the UNICEF said the need now was to take this momentum forward through community empowerment and engagement of the civil society.
'Civil society is a duty bearer for the rights of women and children and it should help make the system accountable,' Gulati said, expressing concern over the high maternal mortality rate - in the state.
Over 60 NGOs participated in the meet from various districts including Jabalpur, Indore, Bhopal, Ujjain, Gwalior, Bhind and Shivpuri.
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