Maternal Pregnancy Risks in African Countries(USE AS GUIDE ONLY)

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MATERNAL MORTALITY

Running head: Maternal Pregnancy Risks in African Countries Maternal Pregnancy Risks in African Countries
MATERNAL MORTALITY
Unlike developed countries, the mortality rates in African nations are appalling. In 2013,
the Nigerian government reported more than 11,000 deaths in 3 months. According to the WHO,
the African and the Caribbean countries have the highest rate of maternal mortality. Per WHO,
the major contributing factor of maternal deaths is a preexisting health condition exacerbated by
pregnancy. For other African countries, other contributing factors are governmental and social
issues. Medication, proficient obstetrical techniques, and proper handling could easily prevent
the high mortality rate of African women.
Government -Healthcare Funding and Equipment
Most African countries have corrupt and incompetent governments. These countries may
not have the resources or the knowledge to solve these abhorrent health records. These
governments are not allocating ample funds to train healthcare practitioners or sufficiently fund
hospitals for medications and equipment. Hospitals are not equipped to care properly for
patients. Most public and private hospitals do not have essential obstetric pieces of equipment.
For instance, there is no electronic fetal monitoring, no on-site sonogram or immediate access to
emergency medications. When the procedures or the equipment are available, the patients would
be charged an exorbitant amount of money to utilize them. For instance, a patient who has
decreased fetal movements and hypertension may not be able to afford the costs of the sonogram,
non-stress testing or the antihypertensive medications. There are no constitutional laws to force
the healthcare institutions to care for the patient. As a result, the outcome of the patient and her
fetus may not be favorable.
During intrapartum and postpartum periods, women may be managed inappropriately due
to lack of necessary equipment, resources, and even healthcare personnel. In some African
countries, women are expected to bring in their labor and delivery supplies such as sutures, high-
risk medications, IVs, and gloves. If they could not bring these supplies, these indigent patients
may be ridiculed by the healthcare staff. Also, most hospitals do not have the necessary