DILI, 26 may 2022 (TATOLI) – The National Hospital Guido Valadares (HNGV) recorded four maternal mortality cases, and 32 stillbirths, from january to february 2022.
Chief Communication Officer of the HNGV, Sara Maria Xavier said all of the mothers who died after giving birth came from municipalities.
“These mothers were transferred from the health facilities in the municipalities with serious complications, including bleeding or hemorrhage, maternal sepsis, hypertension, and preeclampsia,” Xavier said at HNGV, in Dili.
The National Hospital Guido Valadares (HNGV) also registered 32 cases of stillbirths in the first four months of 2022.
Xavier said the mother’s malnutrition and lack of pregnancy check-ups and a routine visit to the health facilities were likely to contribute to the stillbirth: “During pregnancy, poor diets lacking in key nutrients – like iodine, iron, folate, calcium, and zinc – can cause anemia, pre-eclampsia, hemorrhage, and death in mothers.”
She said regular (monthly) pregnancy check-ups at the health facilities is important to detect and prevent pregnancy complication.
“I call on mothers across the country to visit and consult the health professionals in the nearest health facilities regarding their condition to prevent stillbirth,” stressed Xavier.
Xavier said pregnant mothers need to notice their baby’s movement in their womb: “Mothers need to seek health professionals at the health facilities if they feel no movement of their babies in their womb. Only pregnant mothers can feel it. So, mothers need to do this because it is important to save the babies from dying inside the mother’s womb.”
“To strengthen mother condition during the pregnancy time, mothers need to consume nutritious food to prevent any complications which may cause both mothers and the baby to lose their life,” he emphasized.
Xavier also called on the pregnant mothers to seek assistance at the nearest health facilities to deliver their babies safely.
In the first four months of 2022, 1774 babies were delivered at the National Guido Valadares National Hospital, of which 48 were twins: “Of these babies, 1209 were born normal, while 396 babies were born via cesarean delivery. In addition, 109 babies were born via instrumental delivery.”
The maternal death ratio, whilst still at very high levels, is declining in Timor-Leste. The 2010 and 2015 Census estimate of 426 deaths per 100.000 births for 2010–2015 is higher than the value of 195 in the 2016 TLDHS.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
