Maternal mortality rate still high in Rangamati

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A Correspondent :
Despite initiatives taken by the government to develop the health sector in Chattogram Hill Tracts area, the incidents of maternal mortality could not be reduced due to wrong treatment by the midwives.
In the last one year, a total of 55 infants and 10 pregnant women died. Due to superstition among the hill people, the mortality rates are not lowering down.
Kellamura is a remote village in Rangamati Sadar Upazila where about 2,000 families live. It takes almost an hour to go to the village by waterway from the Sadar. One needs to climb the hills to go to the village. It is devoid of all sorts of modern amenities and health facilities. The untrained and unprofessional midwives do the delivery of the pregnant women there. It causes death of mother and infant, said the locals.
Ward Member Biplob Tripura of Balukhal Union said the crisis of doctor, economic insolvency and superstitious beliefs are putting the pregnant women and infants in risk. They are also suffering from malnutrition. In this connection, Rangamati Civil Surgeon Dr Shahid Talukder said, “There is only one pediatrician at Rangamati General Hospital.
 Besides, the post of gynecologist is also vacant for a long time. Therefore, the midwives are following the ancient delivery process which damages the organs of the child and also put the mother and child into risk.”
“Sometimes, if we manage to save the mother, we fail to save the child. Therefore, if they receive the medical assistance from the doctors, we can reduce the mortality rates,” the CS also said.
Local sources said if the community clinics are provided with modern treatments facilities and if the awareness is raised among the people, the mortality rates could be lowered down.
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