Maternal death rate in Moldova is one of Europe’s highest

The maternal mortality rate in Moldova went down during the last ten years but it is still one of the highest rates compared with most of European countries, data of the UN Population Fund show. The data were made public on the occasion of World Population Day, which is celebrated on July 11. In 2002, the maternal death rate constituted 33.6 deaths per 100 000 live newborns, this level being relatively high because of the complications occurred during the pregnancy, as well as of the complications during or after birth. The high maternal death rate in Moldova is mainly caused by the unemployment, inappropriate labour conditions for women, domestic violence, morbidity, abortion etc. Over 500 thousand women die in the world every year because of pregnancy-related complications. Every minute a woman dies during birth, and other 20 or more suffer serious complications. Several projects and strategies supported by UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) involve men in the sexual and reproductive health. Husbands often take decisions on family planning, economic activities of their wives and use of household resources, including taxes for medical services. These decisions influence the wellbeing and future of the whole family. The care and support of a well-informed husband improve the pregnancy period as well as the birth and can make a difference in complicated cases, when women need fast medical assistance, the report says.