Vijayawada: Medical issues and poor sanitation were found to be leading to maternal deaths in Andhra Pradesh. Of the total 47 per cent maternal deaths being registered in the state, 22 per cent were due to PIH Eclampsia, 19 per cent due to postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), 7 per cent due to sepsis and 6 per cent are blamed on severe anaemia.
Poor sanitation and lack of availability of blood units in the blood banks were also blamed for the maternal deaths. Unclean surroundings had been leading to serious infections among new mothers.
According to the statistics submitted by the medical and health department at the recent collectors' conference, the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in the state had reduced to 69.39 during April-September, 2017, from 102.36, registered during the same period last year.
In 2018, 253 deaths were recorded against 3,64,629 live births. An analysis of the figures revealed that 69 pc of maternal deaths were prevented during April- September, 2018. During the same period in 2017, 102.36 deaths occurred in every 1 lakh live births while in 2018, it dropped to 69.39 deaths in every 1 lakh live births.
In Vizianagaram, the MMR during April-September, 2018, increased to 17 against 15,644 live births from the 10 deaths recorded against 14,954 live births during the same period in 2017. In neighbouring Visakhapatnam district, it reduced the MMR reduced to 110.48 against 113.63 recorded last year.
In 2018, MMR was least in Prakasam, recorded at 30.31, during April-September. In this district, eight deaths were recorded against 26,395 live births, followed by Nellore, which recorded an MMR of 39.67.
The officials recommended 8 antenatal checkups for all the pregnant women, through CSCs and MAKs, and 100 per cent institutional deliveries to decrease the MMR. They also suggested that all the medical wings examining pregnant women should follow infection prevention protocols, such as sanitation, hand hygiene and sending a regular culture to the microbiology department. They also suggested keeping adequate blood units available at blood banks.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, consultant gynaecologist and infertility specialist, Dr. B. RamaKrishna Hanuman Chirala said: "the MMR has reduced due to a rise in institutional deliveries. It can be reduced further if the government provisions reach the pregnant women properly, the Asha workers visit the pregnant women regularly and bring them to the hospital in time and also keep track of intake of iron and folic acid tabs by the patients,"
"Pregnant women also died due to cardiac and kidney diseases, blood pressure and diabetes, caused due to a change in food and drinking habits," he added.
