Too many women killed by pregnancy and childbirth

Botswana has disturbingly high rates of maternal mortality and more work has to be done to save the lives of mothers through education and inclusive national dialogue on health issues, according to Miss Public Service 2016, Boipelo Mbakile.

A recently published Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) study shows that the number of Batswana women who died from pregnancy and childbirth complications increased from 74 per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 118 in 2015. In the past three months alone this year, 50 deaths were registered.Most maternal deaths are due to obstetric complications, such as severe bleeding, infection, high blood pressure during pregnancy, unsafe abortion, and obstructed labor. “We really should not be losing our mothers and sisters at the rate we are especially because pregnancy is not a disease,” she said.

Mbakile is organising a conference on maternal health issues to discuss the ways in which access to quality health care and health education can play a significant role in improving the health of women.  The event, which is hosted in partnership with the Ministry of Health, will be held at Travel Lodge this evening from 6pm.

She said that the workshop would feature a host of experts including midwives, psychologists, gynaecologists and pediatricians amongst others. “The aim is to raise awareness on the importance of maternal health with focus on abortion, safe pregnancy, infertility, child health and maintenance because the damage caused by one mother’s death has a far-reaching effect in our society,” she said.

Mbakile pointed out that children suffer greatly when a mother dies. “The children are less likely to receive preventive care such as vaccines and as such are at a greater risk of dying than children who have not lost their mothers. Furthermore, the risk of teenage pregnancy among her daughters increases. Not only that, but productivity and economic gains in her family and community also suffer. This is why this issue is so close to my heart,”she said.

Mbakile expressed hope that the conference would provide vital health information to women and girls relating to lifestyle risks, the importance of timely antenatal care and also be a platform to offer social support and counselling. “We want to connect more women with the health system. This will lead to an increased likelihood of delivery with a skilled birth attendant and continuing care after the baby is born.”