PAHO (Pan American Health Organization) on medtech readiness to cut maternity deaths:
This article was originally published in Clinica
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is urging every country in the region to ensure that all necessary medical equipment and supplies are available, in order to meet their targets for reducing the high maternal and infant mortality. Latin America and the Caribbean have a mortality rate more than 11 times higher than the US, at almost 200 deaths per 100,000 live births, totalling 23,000 women a year, says PAHO in a strategy document. Almost half of these deaths are due to pregnancy disorders and haemorrhaging alone. Member countries of the United Nations have pledged to cut maternal death by 75% by 2015. PAHO represents 35 countries in the Americas; France, the Netherlands and the UK are participating states.