2008-02-01Staff Report 2 By Petronella Sibeene WINDHOEK The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) yesterday donated emergency obstetric equipments and vehicles worth N$1.2 million in an effort it hopes will limit maternal deaths in the country. The donation made to the Ministry of Health and Social Services comes a few days after the launch of a report that reveals under-five mortality rates have increased. The report says the number of women who die during pregnancy, delivery or shortly after giving birth has doubled. UNFPA country representative Nuzhat Ehsan said the equipments would especially be for the Oshikoto Region while the three vehicles would be used at national level, the Oshikoto and Otjozondjupa Regions. Vehicles are critical in ensuring supervision and monitoring of services. She said improving maternal health is one of the mandates of UNFPA. The aim is to reduce maternal deaths from 271 deaths per 100 000 cases to 120 cases per 100 000 by 2010. In Namibia, latest data indicates the maternal mortality rate increased from 227 per 100??????'?? 2008-02-01Staff Report 2
