Maternal mortality success

Malaysia’s success in lowering its maternal mortality rate is a model for other countries.
"Malaysia is a fantastic example. It has shown a significant reduction in maternal mortality," said Lord Naren Patel of the National Health Service in Scotland.
A specialist in high-risk obstetrics, Patel said both developing and developed countries could learn from Malaysia’s success.
Health Ministry statistics show that the maternal mortality rate has been reduced from 530 per 100,000 pregnant women in 1955 to a ratio of 30:100,000 in 2003.
Comparatively, over 500,000 women die and millions more are disabled each year from obstetric complications, mostly in developing countries.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek has been quoted as saying that in the initial stage, the Government developed a three-centre system: a main health centre for 50,000 people, a self-help centre for 30,000 and a midwife centre for 10,000.
"The World Health Organisation recognises this success, notably of the increasing care in rural areas and how the programme became a pledge by the Government," Patel said in an interview with the New Straits Times today.
Malaysia’s achievements will be a topic for discussion at the largest congregation of gynaecologists and obstetricians at the Figo World Congress of Gynaecology and Obstetrics 2006 ( Figo 2006) in Kuala Lumpur from Nov 5 to 10 next year.
Patel is also the organising committee chair for Figo 2006, which will be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
Malaysia won the bid to host the triennial congress, which is held in an Asian country once in six years. Singapore was the last Asian country to host the event.
The aim is to bring gynaecology and obstetrics experts and industry players to share knowledge and ideas, as well as explore the latest scientific developments in these areas.
"The role has gone beyond health," he said. "The objective is also to increase awareness and recognise the rights of women in all aspects including alleviating gender discrimination, violence against women, and on the unavailability of services for gynaecological and breast cancers and specialised services in obstetrics."
On alternative medicine and stem cell technology, Patel said just because they were controversial did not mean they should be swept under the carpet.
"We recognise what could be the role of alternative medicine, and while some doctors say it is effective, others say it is not, but it is worth exploring."
He added that stem cell technology was the "science of the century".
"This bringing together of minds will encourage doctors around the world to share their knowledge and ensure their standards are on par with the best," said Patel, whose many credits include being a fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in the United Kingdom.
The congress expects to see the participation of between 8,000 and 10,000 doctors, nurses and health professionals, including 2,000 producers of drugs and medical products.
Between 50 and 75 seats have been reserved by governments for doctors from developing countries in Latin America and Africa.
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