Mchinji record too many deaths in childbirth: Officer say Malawi maternal deaths may be avoided 

Officials at Mchinji District Hospital are expressing concern over the high number of pregnant mothers and babies who die in the district, saying the situation is now worrisome.

Mchinji District Hospital Nursing Officer Emmanuel Mpoola said maternal mortality rate, the death of women due to pregnancy complications, stands at 62 per cent.

He said for the past five years, three women have been dying every month in the district due to pregnancy related cases, attributing this to women’s reluctance to go to hospital when they are due to give birth preferring traditional birth attendants, lack of blood after heavy bleeding due to lack of blood donors, women’s failure to know the signs when labour starts which make them arrive at the hospital too late to be saved, among other factors.

“The situation is dire. Twenty children are dying every month. These are deaths we can avoid,” said Mpoola.

He was speaking on Sunday when Parent and Child Initiative gave blood to the hospital through community blood initiatives aimed at helping women who need blood after giving birth in a drive to cut deaths of women due to pregnancy related complications.

Charles Makwemba of the Parent and Child Initiative said up to 400 people in the district have signed up to donate blood for the women whenever they are called

Sharing is caring!