By Trend News Line 2024-06-16 05:06:00.
A Senior Health Official Identifies Key Factors Contributing to Jamaica’s Maternal Mortality Rate
A senior health official has highlighted delay in receiving care at medical facilities and lack of knowledge among pregnant women about warning signs during pregnancy as the main factors contributing to Jamaica’s maternal mortality rate climbing to a worrying high. Dr Julia Rowe Porter, director of family health at the Ministry of Health and Wellness, pointed to the ministry’s Population Health Status Report for the period 2000-2022, which showed the maternal mortality rate at a high of 211.3 per 10,000 live births in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The figure dropped to 156.7 in 2022, but this was still more than double the sustainable development goal standard.
Challenges in Maternal Healthcare
Dr Rowe Porter explained that there are many factors at the health-care level that have contributed to the high rates of maternal mortality in Jamaica. These include a shortage of skilled medical staff to handle complex pregnancy emergencies, lack of resources and equipment, as well as improper diagnosis by medical officials. In complex cases, patients are also referred to other hospitals, and transportation time creates a delay in treatment, which increases the chances of mortality. Post-partum haemorrhaging and a lack of blood at medical facilities have also contributed to high maternal mortality rates.
Impact on Neonatal and Infant Mortality Rates
The report further stated that Jamaica’s neonatal mortality rate moved from 9.2 per 100,000 in 2000 to 14.6 in 2021. During the same period, infant mortality rates and under-five mortality rates also increased. Dr Rowe Porter attributed these increases to respiratory and cardiovascular conditions during labour, delivery, and birth, as well as medical conditions of the mother that affect the child. Sepsis and meningitis were also identified as factors leading to increased mortality rates for neonatal babies.
Response Measures and Future Plans
The Ministry of Health and Wellness has implemented response measures to address the high maternal mortality rates in Jamaica. This includes conducting maternal health fora across the island with each regional health authority to assess the trends and craft regional plans to be more strategic at the service delivery level. The ministry is also planning an antenatal care and well-being campaign to increase mothers’ awareness of signs of pregnancy complications. Additionally, the completion of the Programme for the Reduction of Maternal and Child Mortality (PROMAC) has strengthened the health system and coordinated programmes to improve infrastructure, equipment, and the capacity of health workers.
Dr Rowe Porter emphasised the importance of addressing the issue of maternal mortality in Jamaica and expressed the ministry’s commitment to accelerating their response to improve maternal and child health outcomes in the country.
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1. Ignored warning signs during pregnancy
2. Efforts to reduce maternal mortality in Jamaica.