By Ousman Jatta
Concern over women dying at child birth is continuing to persist in The Gambia and the healthcare system is being blamed for it.
A number of women have died in the past months while giving birth sparking fears of a surge in maternal deaths across the country.
Last year, there were marches across the country to call for more action against maternal mortality.
But speaking to MPs on Thursday, health minister Dr Ahmadou Samateh said maternal mortality was slowing in the country as he shared data.
He told MPs: “It is important to note that in this country maternal mortality has been on the decline notwithstanding the perception of the rise in maternal mortality. It is important to emphasize that it is actually on the decline based on what had been happening in the previous years.”
But according to the MICS 2018 survey conducted by UNICEF, under-five mortality in The Gambia is at 57 per 1,000 live births; infant mortality is at 41 per 1000 live births; and neonatal mortality is at 31 per 1,000 live births.
There has been a steady decline in mortality rates, however for neonatal mortality (deaths occurring within the first 28 days of life) there has been a slight increase from the last 5 years from 28 to 31/1000 live births.
A report by the World Health Organisation, every day in 2017, approximately 810 women died from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth.
The report further revealed that 94% of all maternal deaths occur in low and lower middle-income countries.
