Anwer Sultana, Naseem Saba, Gazala.
Maternal death and its causes - a challenge for achieving millennium goals.
Ann King Edward Med Uni Jan ;13(1):3-6.

Background: Maternal death is not the only death of a leady but it is in fact a death of a family. one of the millennium goal of WHO is to reduce maternal mortality by three quarters up to 2015. In order to achieve the role it is essential to have basic figure from worldwide. District head quarter women & children hospital DHQ (W&C), Dera Ismail Khan situated in southern areas of NWFP is providing as emergency obstetric care to this area and peripheral areas of Punjab & Bulochistan. Maternal mortality ratio & and its causes in Distt Headquarter setting of D.I Khan can serve as a baseline figures for planning the strategies for achieving millennium goals. Research Methodology: The study was carried out in District Headquarter for women in Dera Ismail Khan. It was a seven year study starting from 15t January 1999- 31st December 2005. It is a descriptive retrospective hospital based study. The record was collected from admission Register, Labour Register. and maternal mortality register. Results: In the seven years period total No of live birth were 11811 and there were 131 maternal deaths. Maternal mortality ratio was 1109/ 100,000 live births. Direct causes of maternal death contributed to 94.5% and indirect causes contributed to 5.35%. Hemorrhage, the leading cause of maternal death was responsible for 57.5% of maternal deaths. Antepartum (APH) and post partum (PPH) contributed equally. Obstructed labour killed 13.9% of the mothers, eclampsia killed 16.74% while infections killed 5.35% of the mothers. Indirect maternal deaths were hepatic coma, sever anaemia and cardiac failure. Conclusion: The challenge for achieving millennium goals is very high. The leading cause of death of the mothers is haemorrhage. The three delays i.e delayed decision, delayed transport, and delayed management are the virtual causes. To achieve the millenium goal we need to improve the first level health care facilities. We also need public awareness, rising the self determination and women`s right and women empowerment and her role and decision maker.

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