Maternal death rate high in NTB

MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: The number of women dying during pregnancy or childbirth remains above the national rate, a local official said yesterday.

Margaretha Chepas of the provincial health office said the maternal mortality rate in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) currently stands at 700 per 100,000 live births. The national rate is 421.

"Bleeding and infection are the chief causes of death," she said, quoting a recent study. Anemia due to malnutrition is also a major cause.

She said most fatalities occurred among mothers below the age of 20 and above 30 who have more than four children.

Heath services in the province remain inadequate. Every midwife serves an average of 257 pregnant women and 234 babies in 590 villages throughout the province, she said. (pan)