Africa-Press – Ethiopia. March 20/2021(ENA) The number of mothers who give birth supported by skilled birth attendants in health facilities in Ethiopia reached to 50 percent, Ministry of Health disclosed.
Estimates show that over 3 million women give birth annually in the country.
Opening the 29th Ethiopian Midwives Association general assembly today Maternal, Child Health and Nutrition Director at the ministry, Dr. Meseret Zelalem said the number of mothers who carry out institutional delivery has currently reached to 50 percent from 28 percent in 2016.
According to her, the annual maternal mortality in Ethiopia has also been reduced to 11 thousands from 30 thousands some 30 years back.
Despite efforts to curb maternal mortality, 11,000 mothers die annually in Ethiopia due to health complications related to birth, she added.
Obstructed labor, hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and sepsis are among the major causes of maternal death in the country, it was learned.
According to studies, skilled attendance at birth is proved to be the most effective intervention in preventing maternal death.
However, she noted that currently only 50 percent of women in Ethiopia give birth in health facilities.
Therefore, effort to encourage institutional delivery should be further intensified in order to create a much more safer deliver and reduce maternal mortality, she urged.
UNFPA Country Representative in Ethiopia, Dennia Gayle said the UN agencies in Ethiopia are committed to continue support for Ethiopia’s effort to achieve the health targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The representative lauded Ethiopia’s progress in expansion of health facilities and professionals and underscored the necessity of evidence based decision making and investment in human resource, particularly in the field of midwives.
Modern data is crucial for decision makers to measure role of midwives in reducing maternal death and to achieve the SDGs targets, she added.
Ethiopian Midwives Association President, Zenebe Akale appreciated the role midwives have been playing to reduce maternal and child mortality.
According to him, maternal death has been reducing as the culture of institutional delivery is improving.
The number of midwives in the country is limited as compared to the existing demand, it was indicated.
Maternal and Child mortality in the country has reduced by 72 and 62 percents respectively during the implementation of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that ended last year, it was noted.
