Kenya – Entrench safe motherhood

To uphold the fundamental human right to health, as enshrined in the Constitution, maternal health must remain a top government priority.

Thursday, August 03, 2023

By Tamia Nuna, Youth Advocate

In 2020, nearly 800 women died daily from pregnancy- and childbirth-related preventable causes, a maternal death every two minutes. While the global maternal mortality ration (MMR) dropped by 34 per cent from 2000 figures, that 95 per cent of cases were in low- and lower-middle-income countries is a concern. Kenya had a high MMR, of 530 deaths per 100,000 live births, above the global average of 223, thus the urgent need for action.

Continued: https://nation.africa/kenya/blogs-opinion/blogs/entrench-safe-motherhood-4324120

03.08.2023

maternal mortality ratio

MMR

Sustainable Development Goal 3

Tanzania – Maternal health: Life of a mother matters

Maternal health: Life of a mother matters

By Elizabeth Tungaraza
Friday November 1 2019

Debates and discussions by health stakeholders on how to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity in Tanzania have been continuing, reflecting at the toll of unsafe abortion and related maternal mortality.

Despite some promising progress recorded so far, reduction of maternal mortality and morbidity in Tanzania is still a challenge. Key findings of the 2015-16 Demographic and Health Survey and Malaria Indicator Survey (TDHS-MIS) shows that the estimated mortality and morbidity rate (MMR) of 556 deaths is “lower” than that recorded in the 2004-05 TDHS (578), but is higher than the ratios reported in the 2010 TDHS (454) and in the 2012 Population and Housing Census (432).

Continued: https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/magazine/Maternal-health--Life-of-a-mother-matters/1840564-5333370-b7fkdn/index.html

Zimbabwe – ‘Address unsafe abortions to reduce maternal deaths’

‘Address unsafe abortions to reduce maternal deaths’

September 24, 2019
BY PHYLLIS MBANJE

THE emotive issue of unsafe abortions which accounts for a fifth of the over 3 000 maternal deaths that occur every year in Zimbabwe should be tackled urgently by all stakeholders with specific reference to the Termination of Pregnancy Act (TOR), which has repeatedly been said to be restrictive.

Addressing legislators at a meeting convened by the Women Action Group (WAG) yesterday, family health director in the Health ministry, Bernard Madzima said although consensus on the matter will not come easily, it was important for all concerned to come up with solutions that would preserve women’s lives.

Continued: https://www.newsday.co.zw/2019/09/address-unsafe-abortions-to-reduce-maternal-deaths/

Tanzania – Sexuality awareness programmes to restrain early pregnancies

Sexuality awareness programmes to restrain early pregnancies
In Tanzania abortion is legally restricted, permitted only to save the life of the mother. Chapter 16 of the Penal Code criminalises the entire process from attempting to procuring child destruction.

2nd July 2019
Gaudensia Mngumi

Section 150 of chapter 16, stipulates that it is illegal to procure own miscarriage making one liable to seven years imprisonment.

Anyone who supports that ‘illegal act’ by supplying drugs and instruments to procure abortion faces three years imprisonment in jail, states section 152. Furthermore, it is stipulated in section 219, that anybody who found guilty for of child destruction shall be convicted to life imprisonment.

Continued: https://www.ippmedia.com/en/news/sexuality-awareness-programmes-restrain-early-pregnancies