Luanda — The chairman of the Angolan Physician Order, Carlos Pinto, Wednesday in Luanda, appealed for continued sustainable initiatives among the health institutions and the doctors towards reduction of maternal death in the country.

Speaking to Angop on the occasion of the reproductive health week, October 10-18, the official added that the date constitutes a moment for a reflection by the members of the class on their unity in the fight against maternal death, considered as the world's highest.

In Africa south of Sahara, haemorrhages come first on the list of the causes of maternal death and respond for more than one third (35 percent) of all causes.

Post-delivery haemorrhages represent one fourth of all maternal death and countries separately present levels that go up to 60 percent.

So, in view of the relevance of haemorrhages in maternal death, the World Health Organisation, in association with Angola Health Ministry and the Physicians Association will conduct a regional consultation to discuss haemorrhages during pregnancy, delivery and post-delivery.

The meeting will bring together representatives of professional associations, training institutions and specialists that operate in this field.

A Conference/Dinner on the Millennium Development Goals will also be held in Luanda, with address by the World Health Organisation director for Africa, Luis Gomes Sambo.

In addition, a regional meeting on Haemorrhage during pregnancy, delivery and post-delivery will take place on October 13-14, followed by the 4th Scientific Events on Genecology and Obstetrics in Angola on 15-17 the same month.

WHO, Unicef, Unfpa and World Bank updated data show that despite effort to improve maternal health in the continent, the rates of maternal death (900 deaths per 1,000 newborn babies) remain the world's highest.

The data indicate as well that Africa has managed to reduce maternal death by 0,1 percent a year, which is far from the 5,5 percent required for the Millennium Development Goals.