In observance of maternal mortality day in Brazil, join us in calling on the Brazilian government to guarantee the right to life, health, and non-discrimination of women by taking effective actions to prevent maternal deaths. On May 27, a coalition of organizations held a public demonstration on the steps of the Rio de Janeiro's Legislative Assembly to bring attention to the silent death of more than 4,100 Brazilians each year due to complications in pregnancy and child-birth. SUPPORT THEIR CALL!
If you are interested in supporting our plea to the Brazilian government, send an email to alyne@reprorights.org and we will add your signature to the statement.
Alyne's Case: A preventable death
When Alyne da Silva Pimentel, a 28-year old, afro-Brazilian pregnant woman, went to the hospital in Belford Roxo, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, complaining of severe nausea and abdominal pain, she did not expect that complications from pregnancy would lead to her death. Alyne was just one of many women who, despite symptoms indicating high risk pregnancies, are sent home after doctors attest that they are in good health. At home, Alyne's conditions worsened. She returned to the hospital and was admitted. More than 13 hours after giving birth to her stillborn 27 week old fetus, she underwent an operation to remove the placenta. By delaying what should have been a simple procedure, the health center ignored the standard of care and contributed to further deterioration in Alyne's condition. After waiting another 8 hours, Alyne was transferred to another hospital. Because the facility had no bed available, she was left in a makeshift area in the emergency room hallway. Alyne kept complaining to her mother about the hospital's mistreatment, and asked to be taken back home. She died soon after.
Brazilian Maternal Mortality Rates: Negligence and State Denial
Unfortunately, cases like Alyne's are common in Brazil. As in other developing countries, maternal mortality in Brazil is mainly caused by severe bleeding or hemorrhage, infections, unsafe abortions and eclampsia. But the maternal mortality situation in Brazil is especially bleak. Of the approximately 4000 women who die annually from pregnancy-related causes, 98% of those deaths are preventable. According to the World Bank, Brazil's maternal mortality rate ranges from three to ten times higher than countries with comparable GDP, and is substantially higher than in countries with lower economic development. The Brazilian government has not taken the problem seriously. In fact, the rate of maternal mortality in Brazil has not declined in the last 15 years. We think this is unacceptable. It costs about $3 a person per year in developing countries to provide the essential services needed to reduce the rates of maternal mortality. The Brazilian government must take action ... urgently. Click here for more information.
Maternal Mortality: A Global Phenomenon
The incidence of maternal mortality in the Latin America and Caribbean region is nothing short of alarming. Data provided by the World Health Organization indicate that approximately 15,000 women in this region die annually from complications related to pregnancy and labor.
Maternal mortality is a global problem. Countries such as India, Nigeria and Bolivia all suffer high rates of maternal deaths. However, in countries with similar and even lower economic standing than Brazil, such as Honduras, Egypt and Sri Lanka, maternal mortality has been reduced through effective prioritization of the issue. Even though Brazil is responsible for approximately one fourth of maternal deaths in Latin America, the Brazilian government has not treated the issue with appropriate urgency.
Maternal Mortality is a Human Rights Issue
Brazil's failure to develop effective policies and programs to address the high rates of maternal mortality puts it in breach of its obligations under national and international human rights law to guarantee women's rights to life, health, and non-discrimination.
