Islamabad: Pregnancy and childbirth are generally times of joy for parents and families. However, in many countries including Pakistan, where 276 mothers die/100,000 population every year, they are also periods of great risk to the death and survival of newborns. Dr Patrice White of Abt Associate Inc. made these remarks at the panel discussion on the eve of International Day of the Midwife, says a press release.
Organised by NIHS in partnership with Pakistan Nursing Council, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi and Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, the panel discussion highlighted the issues of mothers and essential newborn care with an added need of structured training programme for midwives.
Pakistan has the eight highest newborn mortality rate in the world in line with countries such as Somalia, Afghanistan and Djibouti. Most of the newborns in Pakistan die due to birth asphyxia, infections and complications of pre-maturity or low birth weight. Most of these conditions are preventable only if quality healthcare services are made available at the right time.
Source: The News
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