Zero maternal deaths in former war citadels

Nadira Gunatilleke

No maternal deaths had been reported from the Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi districts during the past two years which is a record in relation to maternal deaths in the country's medical history, a Health Ministry spokesman said.

According to the spokesman the numbers of maternal deaths were very high in the Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi districts during the terror period when pregnant mothers died without proper medical care and safety procedures. During the war in the Northern Province, pregnant mothers were brutally killed by the LTTE terrorists.

But during the last two years not even a single maternal death has been reported from the two districts as a result of the government's massive health care development projects and the dedication of health staff, the spokesman said.

The health staff had also been involved in awareness raising activities among pregnant mothers on natural, nutritious and cheep food, good health habits, importance of eating locally grown food etc. The pregnant mothers had continued to follow this advice even after their deliveries making both mothers and infants healthy and well nourished, he added.