Latest news with #MaternalMortality
The Hindu
19-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Low-cost test on anvil to detect life-threatening pregnancy complication of preeclampsia: expert
Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication, characterised by high blood pressure and kidney damage. It can endanger both the mother and the baby and, if left untreated, can progress to eclampsia, a life-threatening condition, according to S. Ananth Karumanchi, director of Renovascular Research Centre, Cedars-Sinai, Los Angeles, the U.S. Dr. Ananth was in Visakhapatnam to deliver the Dr. GRK Raju Oration at the valedictory event of Waves 2025, the FOGSI Presidential Conference on Sunday (May 18). 'Preeclampsia affects both the mother and baby owing to high BP, and it can turn fatal for the mother. We have discovered molecules in blood that can be identified to detect the triggers of preeclampsia much before its onset. At present, the disease is being detected only after complications like high BP set in, affecting body organs. This new molecular test gives a much higher degree (92%) of accuracy than conventional tests,' Dr. Ananth told The Hindu on the sidelines of the conference. 'The molecular test has been approved by the US FDA and is being used in the U.S. and Europe. It's, however, very expensive right now. We are in the process of developing a low-cost test, and a study is being done in Delhi to validate the low-cost version. Once this gets approved, it can be a game changer to prevent the complications of preeclampsia in pregnant women and thereby bring down the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) and Infant Mortality Rate(IMR) in developing countries,' he opines. On new therapies to combat eclampsia, Dr. Ananth says: 'As the pathway for early detection of preeclampsia has been found, we are in the process of developing RNA interference therapy, which can be given as a single dose during pregnancy.' 'An estimated 15% of maternal deaths during pregnancy in the world and 25% of [such] deaths in India are caused by preeclampsia. MMR [maternal mortality rate] is 93 in India and 45 in A.P.,' says T. Radha, the organising chairperson of the conference who had invited Dr. Ananth to update all the practitioners on the latest research on preeclampsia. 'After completing MBBS in Kilpauk Medical College in Chennai, Dr. Ananth pursued higher studies at Harvard University and later completed his Fellowship in Nephrology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. His path breaking research will usher in a paradigm shift in the management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and provide solace to millions of pregnant women,' added Dr. Radha.
The Hindu
09-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
‘56% deliveries take place in govt. hospitals in T.N.'
: Health Minister Ma. Subramanian on Friday said 56% of deliveries in Tamil Nadu took place in government hospitals, and of this, 83% were in the Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC) centres. At a workshop on Strategies on Reduction of MMR (Maternal Mortality Ratio), he said the State accounted for 99.9% institutional deliveries (8.02 lakh). According to the Health Information Management System, the State's MMR was 39 per 1,00,000 live births during 2024-2025. Every month, special measures are taken to identify pregnant women who have complications during gestation period. Once identified, they are advised or treated by obstetricians. All government medical college hospitals have high dependency units to treat pregnant women who develop complications during pregnancy or after delivery, he said. He handed over appreciation certificates to doctors who took measures to reduce maternal deaths. Arun Thamburaj, Mission Director, National Health Mission, Tamil Nadu, and E. Theranirajan, additional director of Medical Education and Research were present.
See - Sada Elbalad
07-04-2025
- Health
- See - Sada Elbalad
Aid Cuts Threaten Fragile Progress in Ending Maternal Deaths, UN Agencies Warn
Ahmed Emam A major new United Nations (UN) report released today reveals that women are now more likely than ever to survive pregnancy and childbirth, with maternal deaths falling by 40% globally between 2000 and 2023. However, UN agencies are sounding the alarm over the potential for significant setbacks due to widespread cuts in humanitarian aid. The report, Trends in Maternal Mortality, was published on World Health Day and highlights both progress and growing concerns. While improved access to essential health services has saved countless lives over the past two decades, the pace of progress has slowed since 2016. An estimated 260,000 women died in 2023 due to complications related to pregnancy or childbirth—equivalent to one maternal death every two minutes. 'This report shows glimmers of hope,' said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO). 'But it also highlights how dangerous pregnancy still is in much of the world today—despite the fact that we have the knowledge and tools to prevent most maternal deaths.' The report also examines the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal health. In 2021 alone, maternal deaths spiked by 40,000 compared to the previous year, largely due to direct effects of the virus and major disruptions in maternity care services. This underscores the need for resilient healthcare systems that can maintain essential services during crises. One of the most pressing threats to maternal health today, the UN warns, is a wave of global funding cuts. These reductions are forcing healthcare facilities to close, supply chains to break down, and vital personnel—including midwives and nurses—to leave the workforce. In already vulnerable regions, especially in humanitarian settings, the consequences are particularly dire. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell stressed the urgency of investing in maternal care: 'When a mother dies during pregnancy or childbirth, her baby's life is often at risk too. These are preventable tragedies. The world must invest in frontline health workers to ensure every mother and child has the chance to survive and thrive.' The report highlights persistent inequalities between and within regions. Sub-Saharan Africa, despite notable progress, still bears a staggering 70% of the global maternal death toll. High poverty levels and ongoing conflicts continue to challenge maternal healthcare efforts in the region. In contrast, only three UN regions—Sub-Saharan Africa, Central and Southern Asia, and Australia and New Zealand—saw significant progress in reducing maternal deaths since 2015. The UN agencies urge governments and international donors to act swiftly. Without renewed investment and support, they warn that decades of hard-won gains could be reversed, putting the lives of hundreds of thousands of women and newborns at risk. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Lifestyle Pistachio and Raspberry Cheesecake Domes Recipe News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Videos & Features Bouchra Dahlab Crowned Miss Arab World 2025 .. Reem Ganzoury Wins Miss Arab Africa Title (VIDEO) News Israeli PM Diagnosed with Stage 3 Prostate Cancer News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple
