The maternal mortality ratio (MMR) is the ratio of the number of maternal deaths during a given time period per 100,000 live births during the same time-period. The MMR is used as a measure of the quality of a health care system. The following statistics were taken from World Health Organization (WHO, 2015) reports: MMR in Myanmar, 178 women dying per 100,000 live births; MMR in Eastern Myanmar, 721 women dying per 100,000 live births. This is compared to a MMR in Australia of 6 women dying per 100,000 live births. A 2019 study by Community Partners International showed that 75% of Karen women living in rural areas who deliver at home to not have a skilled birth attendant present. This represents a serious challenge to maternal health.
Since opening the antenatal clinic in Kyaukkyi in late 2017, thousands of women have had access to regular and quality care during their pregnancy including blood tests and ultrasound. Early detection of high risk pregnancies have saved the lives of many mothers and babies over the past four years. However, due to not having the facilities required by the Myanmar Government to do deliveries, mothers who have received their antenatal care at the clinic, have had to go to other facilities to give birth, or have their baby at home.
It has been a long-time dream of lead midwife Mon Parker and her team to have a facility that meets the requirement to enable mothers to give birth in a safe, supportive and culturally appropriate environment. The complex regulations required by multiple various government departments has meant that several attempts to open a temporary facility have not eventuated.
The building will be located on 17 acres of land that is owned by the Ther Rae Doh Pae Rehabilitation and Development Foundation (T-RAD). Already there are student dormitories, dining facilities and classrooms on the land, and future plans include the construction of an addition to the Birth Unit and other hospital and surgical facilities. Sadly due to the current political situation and security concerns construction of the antenatal building has had to go on hold.
Please join with us in supporting this project that will ensure quality care is available to women, not only during their pregnancy, but during delivery and post-partum.
