Maternal Mortality Rates

Mothers older than 35 years of age constitute 30% of the total maternal mortalities in the country according to an official at the Health Ministry.

“The largest number of deaths occurs in urban regions followed by fringe areas and villages,” said Farahnaz Torkestani, head of Mother’s Health Department at the Health Ministry, IRNA reported.

She said 60% of mothers who die during childbirth have failed to take pre-pregnancy care and 73% suffered from risk factors.

Non-obstetric  omplications, obstetrical bleeding, other obstetric conditions and blood pressure disorders are among the major causes of maternal death.

“Almost 12% of deaths occur at home, 3.5% on the way to a medical facility and 61% in university training hospitals,” said the official.  Based on the latest figures, the rate of maternal mortality currently stands at 18.1 per 100,000 live births which has to reach 8.7 by 2030 based on Health Ministry policies.