AFRICA/KENYA - Most African countries have serious difficulties in the health care of pregnant women

Nairobi (Agenzia Fides) - Studies carried out by the Institute for African Development Policies (AFIDEP) in East, West and Southern Africa, showed that most countries have great difficulties for universal access to reproductive health and only 3 countries in these regions will reach the 5th Millennium Development Goal that aims to improve maternal health. We are talking about Eritrea, Rwanda and Ethiopia. In Eritrea, the maternal mortality rate has dropped by 70%, from 930 deaths per 100 000 women in 1990 to 280 per 100 000 in 2008. In Uganda it has gone from 670 deaths per 100 000 in 1990 to 430 in 2008. However, the phenomenon has increased in Kenya, recording 530 deaths per 100 000 in 2008 against 380 in 1990.
Unlike other countries in East Africa, There is a lack in the political will to promote health care in general in Kenya, so the situation has worsened. However, from a survey carried out recently shows that 64% of all women who gave birth in public hospitals in the country have not received the necessary medical care. More than a third of all women who wanted to give birth in health centers found themselves marginalized by the medical staff. Just 43% of all pregnant women in Kenya gave birth under the supervision of a professional. In Rwanda, the traditional midwives have a significant role during childbirth, particularly in rural areas, and this has contributed to the increase of the phenomenon, especially when midwives have to deal with complicated cases instead of subjecting them to medical professionals. In West Africa, Ghana has reduced the maternal mortality ratio by 44% from 1990 to 2008. According to some experts, this decline was achieved through the efforts of the government which has offered free antenatal services and the largest medical insurance systems. In the country there is a national community policy known as Health Planning Initiative, which is responsible to provide assistance in rural areas. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 14/09/2011)