Mother and child mortality rate in Eritrea shows marked decline

Mother and child mortality rate in Eritrea has shown marked decline over the past 20 years since independence, according to Dr. Bereket, specialist in the Orota Referral Hospital.

Asmara, 8 August 2011- Mother and child mortality rate in Eritrea has shown marked decline over the past 20 years since independence, according to Dr. Bereket, specialist in the Orota Referral Hospital.Dr. Bereket told ERINA that prior to independence, 1000 mothers or children out of 100,000 pregnant women used to die during delivery. At present, however, the morality rate has declined to less than 300, he added.

Dr. Bereket further pointed out that the growth of health institutions and medical staff in addition to impressive development achievements is the factors for the decline in mother and child mortality rate. The Ministry of Health is striving to enhance health service as regards pre-and post-delivery care, promoting skilled manpower resources and societal awareness about mother and child morality.

Dr. Bereket further indicated that the Health Ministry has stepped up efforts to achieve the set target of the millennium development goal, especially that of expanding service in surgery and training skilled manpower in the field.
Out of the 46 countries in the Sub-Sahara region, Eritrea, Cape-Verde, Mauritania and Seychelles have registered significant achievements in meeting the Millennium Goals as verified by international health institutions.