TAPLEJUNG, Aug 4: A total of 622 maternal deaths occurred in Nepal during one year. This was revealed by a study conducted by the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) in collaboration with the National Statistics Office, Nepal Health Research Council and health development partners.

Public Health Concern Nepal has sent the report of Nepal Maternal Mortality Study 2078 (2021/22) to health offices across the country. According to the report, the highest number of maternal deaths was observed in the Lumbini Province. The maternal mortality in Lumbini stood at 158 followed by 135 deaths in Madhesh Province, 111 in Koshi Province, 69 in Bagmati Province, 60 in Sudurpaschim Province, 54 in Karnali Province and 45 in Gandaki Province, according to the study report. This is the data compiled 12 months before November 25, 2021. According to the report, out of a total of 622 maternal deaths in Nepal, information on 11 deaths is insufficient, so the report mentions that only 611 maternal deaths are considered as the basis for analyzing the cause of death.  

But for the proportion of maternal mortality, 622 maternal deaths have been considered as the basis. 

According to the study, many maternal deaths in Nepal are still caused by preventable complications such as bleeding during pregnancy and high blood pressure. The study report has pointed to the delays that led to maternal deaths and the measures for ending such delays has also been discussed. The study team has suggested to the concerned authorities to improve the quality of maternal health services and dispatch mechanisms in health institutions to strengthen emergency transport management. According to the study report, out of the total number of maternal deaths, 199 people died during pregnancy, 36 people died during childbirth and 376 people died after childbirth. 

Similarly, 346 people died in health institutions, 265 people in non-health institutions and 230 people died while giving normal childbirth. It is mentioned in the study report that the number of maternal deaths is high because of the wrong practice of taking pregnant women to the health institutions quite late and often after giving birth at home.  

Maternal mortality is zero in two districts, highest in Banke  

The study found zero maternal deaths in Mustang and Rasuwa each. The highest number of maternal deaths was reported in Banke with 36 deaths. The lowest maternal mortality was observed in Jumla, Rukum East, Manang, Myagdi and Dolakha with one case each.

If we look at the province wise report, the highest number of maternal deaths was reported in Koshi Province, where Jhapa alone observed 27 deaths. In this province, the lowest maternal mortality was reported in Taplejung, Sankhuwasabha, Solukhumbu, Bhojpur, Dhankuta and Tehrathum with two deaths each. In the hill districts of this province, 11 people died in Ilam and 7 in Panchthar. Similarly, 18 people died in Morang, 16 in Sunsari and 4 in Udayapur.

In Madhesh Province, the highest number of deaths was observed in Sarlahi with 28 deaths. The lowest death toll was nine in Mahottari. Among the districts of this province, 15 people died in Saptari, 16 in Siraha, 19 in Dhanusha, 23 in Rautahat, 11 in Bara and 14 in Parsa.

In Bagmati Province, the highest number of deaths was observed in Kathmandu with 18 deaths. At least one person died in Dolakha. Similarly, four people died in Sindhupalchowk, six  in Dhading, three in Nuwakot, two in Bhaktapur, eight in Lalitpur, four in Kavrepalanchok, two in Ramechhap, eight in Sindhuli, seven in Makwanpur and six in Chitwan.

Likewise, 13 people died in Kaski, the highest number in Gandaki Province.  The least number of deaths were one each in Manang and Myagdi, four in Gorkha, three in Lamjung, five in Tanahun, four in Nawalparasi East, six in Syangja, five in Parbat and three in Baglung. 

In Lumbini Province, 36 people died in Banke, the highest number in the province and one person died in Rukum East, the least. In this province, six people each died in Rolpa and Pyuthan, seven in Gulmi, four each in Arghakhanchi and Palpa, seven in West Nawalparasi, 30 in Rupandehi, 28 in Kapilvastu, 15 in Dang and 14 in Bardiya. 

In Karnali Province, the highest death toll was recorded in Surkhet with 10 deaths. At least 1 person died in Jumla, three people died in Dolpa, two in Mugu, four in Humla, eight each in Kalikot and Salyan and six each in Dailekh, Jajarkot and Rukum West of this province.  

In Sudurpaschim Province, the highest number of deaths was reported in Kailali. Bajura and Darchula had the least number of deaths in this province – two each. It is mentioned in the study report that three people died in Bajhang, eight in Baitadi, six in Dadeldhura, four in Doti, seven in Achham and 10 in Kanchanpur. According to the Fifteenth Plan and Sustainable Development Goals, Nepal has set a goal of increasing the maternal mortality rate to 70 per one hundred thousand live births by the year 2030.  

 
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