WHO bewails high rate of maternal deaths in Western Pacific

MANILA, Philippines - The World Health Organization (WHO) has described as “shameful” the fact that 90 percent of maternal deaths in the Western Pacific region could be avoided only if women’s rights to good health are addressed.

In a statement, the WHO said that more than 100 women in the region die from pregnancy-related deaths every day. And if “drastic measures” will not be taken immediately, this situation will continue.

The WHO reported that there are numerous obstacles — including societal discrimination and limited access to health services — to achieving women’s rights to their health.

“A further challenge is the low level of education provided to women on average despite the fact that improved education for women has been found to produce better health outcomes for themselves and the generations that follow,” the WHO said.

Dr. Shin Young-soo, WHO regional director for the Western Pacific, said, “It is shameful that despite the region’s rapid economic growth, a large — and growing — number of women are still excluded from the fruits of this progress.”

“Good health is a universal right, not a privilege. Taking on this issue will be at the top of our agenda in the Western Pacific,” he said.

Shin added that women’s health could improve, thus preventing deaths during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period, if gender equality is observed.

“It is simply not acceptable that each year, more than 30,000 women in the Western Pacific region die unnecessarily due to pregnancy-related conditions,” he said.

At present, the WHO is developing the report “Women and Health in the Western Pacific” to provide the “stimulus” for member-countries to strengthen efforts to ensure equal opportunities for women and girls in order to protect and promote their health and the health of populations overall.

The report is expected to be presented to the WHO at the 61st session of the Regional Committee for the Western Pacific region in October.