New approach to safe motherhood

This year, UNICEF, draws attention to the urgent need to save the lives of mothers dying due to pregnancy related complications and childbirth.

• It is estimated that for every 100,000 live births in India, up to 407 mothers, die. Infant mortality in India is 63 deaths per 1,000 live births with around 47 per cent of infant deaths occurring in the first week of life.
• These numbers may add up to millions of lives of mothers and children that can be easily saved with cost-effective, proven solutions once they are made more widely available.
• This includes simple and timely measures such as breastfeeding the new-born within half an hour of birth, continuing to breastfeed exclusively for six months, keeping the baby adequately warm and ensuring that the baby is fully immunised.