Delta Records Decline In Maternal Mortality – Ugwumba

The Delta State free healthcare campaign has yielded positive result as Government has declared tremendous decrease in maternal mortality rate.

In accordance with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) health paradigm for 2013 which is set at maternal mortality of 250 per 100,000 births, the Delta State Government has successfully recorded 224 mortality per  100,000 births beyond the set goal.

Speaking to newsmen, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health Monitoring, Dr. Rukevwe Ugwumba, stated that when the Government started the free health care policy, maternal mortality rate in the State was about 550 but has receded in less than a year and half, adding that even with the decrease, maternal mortality is still relatively high; as every life is important.

Dr. Ugwumba explained that the reason for this percentage was due to the fact that people still resort to self help through traditional methods, adding that as the World is changing, the people must learn to accept it and grow with current safer means of treatment.

While  efforts have been made to sensitize the people, so many are still not utilizing it. It is difficult sometimes because some people still prefer using traditional means, thus we are still recording some deaths but these people do not die in the hospital.

Dr. Ugwumba, while reiterating the need for Deltans to fully utilize the free health care service because it is meant for them, stated that the kidney transplant facility that has been promised by the Government is almost ready for use.