International Women's Day: Every maternal death is an unacceptable and avoidable death

Dubai, March 4th 2014, As we reflect on International Women's Day and the progress made by women globally, it is painstaking to know that 1,000 women still tragically die every day from childbirth or pregnancy-related complications. However with the help of skilled birth attendants, and access to the appropriate drugs and equipment, women’s lives and those of their babies can be saved.

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Lakes Towers join hands for “Delivering HOPE” campaign on the occasion of International Women’s Day. The campaign aims at raising awareness on the fact that far too many women continue to die avoidable deaths during, before or just after childbirth. MSF provides emergency obstetric care to pregnant women in acute and chronic humanitarian crises that has a direct impact and saves women’s lives.
“Our partnership with Doctors Without Borders is in line with Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts’ core values”, says Hayden Edgtton, general manager, Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Lakes Towers. “We are delighted to join hands for the “Delivering HOPE” campaign, raising awareness on the lifesaving care for women”.

Nearly fifteen percent of all pregnancies worldwide will face a life-threatening complication. These women need access to quality emergency obstetric care whether they live in Dubai, Sanaa or Kabul. The reality is the same whether in a modern hospital or in a conflict zone, refugee camp or after a devastating earthquake.

“It is an ongoing tragedy that we are still seeing so many women die in childbirth, when we know that the provision of quality care at the time of delivery can have a direct impact,” says Kara Blackburn, Women’s Health Advisor for MSF. “We must always remind ourselves that a maternal death is an avoidable death.”

Comprehensive neonatal and obstetric care form part of MSF’s response to any emergency. Medical staff assist births and perform caesarean sections where necessary and sick newborns and babies with a low birth weight receive medical. In 2012, MSF staff assisted the delivery of more than 185,400 babies. MSF runs maternity programmes in more than 40 countries, including Afghanistan where patients suffer from the ongoing armed conflict, Pakistan in areas with no access to healthcare, and South Sudan in refugee camps.