Maternal mortality rate in DR above the region’s countries

Santo Domingo.- With an official record of 106 deaths per 100,000 live births, maternal mortality in the Dominican Republic is above the average for countries in the region, which is 80 deaths.

This was stated yesterday by Sara Menendez, health officer from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), who recognized the progress in lowering maternal mortality and said that if the trend continues, in six years the country could meet the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.

Menendez pointed out that five years ago the mortality rate was 140 deaths per 100,000 live births.

As a measure to improve the situation, Menendez suggested increasing Primary Care Units in order to allow pregnant women to find medical attention in time with no need to move to larger hospitals.