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Maternal Deaths Remain Huge Challenge in Namibia
FrontLines - June 2010
By Kevin Hernandez
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In USAID-supported New Start Centers in Namibia, women
can get tested for HIV and learn how to prevent transmission
to their children.
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ANDARA, Namibia— On
Jan. 12, Rosie* made her way
from her village in the Kavango
region of northern Namibia to
Andara District Hospital, 50
kilometers away. Just 17 years
old, Rosie was pregnant and her
baby was due any time.
Although the majority of
pregnant women in Namibia
now have access to prenatal
care, because of the remoteness
of her village, Rosie did not.
Arriving at the hospital just
before midnight, Rosie’s labor
was long, lasting into the next day. The baby was born not breathing and unresponsive. But a medical officer was on hand to resuscitate the baby and save its life. Rosie, however, collapsed on the floor. Despite efforts to resuscitate her, Rosie died from post-partum hemorrhage.
Rosie’s tragic death is just one of hundreds of preventable maternal deaths in Namibia.
The problem is complex. The lack of outreach to isolated communities places women in Namibia at especially high risk. With a nationwide lack of emergency obstetric care and high rates of HIV/AIDS among women and children, maternal health constitutes a national emergency in Namibia.
Maternal mortality rates in Namibia have skyrocketed from 271 per 100,000 births in 2001, to 449 deaths in 2008. This exacerbates what is already an alarmingly high number of orphans and vulnerable children in the country.
“Because of the vastness of Namibia, the distances expectant mothers have to travel to receive adequate care often create delays. These delays are at the root of the problem,” said Dr. Ochi Ibe, USAID senior HIV/AIDS care and nutrition adviser. “When combined with the complications associated with HIV/AIDS, it is causing maternal deaths to climb.”
In response, USAID is working to minimize the delays and improve the adequacy of care. The Agency provides training and equipment to health care providers so expectant mothers like Rosie can receive timely emergency care closer to home.
For those mothers that must be seen at a larger facility, USAID is rehabilitating Waiting Mothers Shelters with short-term living facilities so expectant mothers can travel to hospitals earlier in their pregnancies and remain close to care and support.
The aftereffects of maternal deaths are inconsistently recorded, but research shows a link between a mother’s early death and poor health among the infants they leave behind—including high infant mortality.
Additional resources are badly needed to combat the rising maternal mortality rates. Ready access to prenatal care could have identified risk factors for Rosie and emergency obstetric skills may have prepared hospital staff for her difficult delivery.
Increased access to contraception may have prevented Rosie’s pregnancy in the first place. Transportation, medical personnel, and more modern equipment are also needed as part of an extensive outreach effort to expecting mothers in remote areas.
★
*Rosie’s last name has been withheld to protect her family’s privacy.
FrontLines is published
by the Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs
U.S. Agency for International Development
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Material should be submitted
by mail to Editor, FrontLines, USAID,
RRB, Suite 6.10, Washington, DC 20523-6100;
by FAX to 202-216-3035; or by e-mail to frontlines@usaid.gov
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