Maternal, child mortality rates in Sudan rise due to ongoing war: Health Minister

by IANS |

Port Sudan, Nov 1 (IANS) Sudan's Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) has risen to 295 per 100,000 births, and the child mortality rate to 51 per 1,000 live births amid ongoing armed conflict, Sudanese Health Minister Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim said.


"The health of mothers and children requires special care after the increase in maternal and child mortality rates due to the ongoing war," Ibrahim said in a statement.


The global MMR in 2020 was 223 per 100,000 live births, while the global under-5 mortality rate was 37 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2022, according to the World Health Organization, reports Xinhua news agency.


The minister revealed a strategic plan for 2025 to improve the health of mothers and children at a total cost of more than $200 million, stressing the need to integrate the efforts of the health ministry and international partners to reduce maternal and child mortalities.


Meanwhile, the Sudan Family Planning Association (SFPA), a government organisation, reported on Thursday that miscarriage cases in shelters for displaced persons were on the rise.


"Hundreds of displaced women in displacement shelters suffer from a severe shortage of reproductive health services, while miscarriages have increased due to the lack of adequate medical care," the SFPA said in a statement.


It noted that poor care during pregnancy and childbirth and insufficient healthcare for newborns have further increased maternal and child mortality rates.


The association added that inadequate health facilities and medical equipment heightened the risk of the spread of infectious diseases.


A report from the International Organisation for Migration on Tuesday stated that over 14 million people have fled their homes since the beginning of the ongoing conflict in Sudan, with women making up more than half of those affected.


Sudan has been ravaged by a deadly conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since mid-April 2023. According to a situation report issued by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project on October 14, the deadly conflict has resulted in more than 24,850 deaths.

Latest News
Calling Uddhav Thackeray a traitor is insult to Balasaheb and Maharashtra: Sanjay Raut Mon, Jan 13, 2025, 02:11 PM
Post-Article 370, J&K witnessing rapid growth under PM Modi: Naqvi on Sonamarg tunnel opening Mon, Jan 13, 2025, 02:09 PM
Patparganj: Kejriwal approaches EC as Avadh Ojha faces threat of disqualification Mon, Jan 13, 2025, 01:59 PM
IPL 2025 to begin on March 21 in Kolkata: Report Mon, Jan 13, 2025, 01:11 PM
Didn't really take selection out of the selectors' hands, says Abbott on missing CT25 Mon, Jan 13, 2025, 01:08 PM
Pragati Yatra: CM Nitish Kumar inaugurates projects in Samastipur Mon, Jan 13, 2025, 01:04 PM
Delhi CM Atishi Files Nomination for Kalkaji Ahead of Assembly Elections Mon, Jan 13, 2025, 12:58 PM
Bengal school job case: CBI gets call records establishing Partha Chatterjee's involvement Mon, Jan 13, 2025, 12:47 PM
Los Angeles wildfires: Death toll rises to 24 Mon, Jan 13, 2025, 12:46 PM
More diminished attention, better immediate recall may signal Lewy body dementia: Study Mon, Jan 13, 2025, 12:39 PM
PM Modi to Attend Sankranthi Festivities at Union Minister Kishan Reddy's Residence Mon, Jan 13, 2025, 12:33 PM
Govt expenditure on big infra projects to drive growth in 2025-26: Report Mon, Jan 13, 2025, 12:32 PM
P.V. Anvar Resigns, Joins TMC; Targets Vijayan Government Mon, Jan 13, 2025, 12:23 PM
Aus Open: Michelsen serves Tsitsipas opening round exit Mon, Jan 13, 2025, 12:21 PM
PM Modi to launch Mission Mausam on Tuesday, will make India weather-ready, climate-smart Mon, Jan 13, 2025, 12:20 PM