India has a long way to go when it comes to maternity care. In fact, our record is shameful to say the least

According to the UNICEF report "Progress for children- a report card on maternal mortality" (No. 7 Sept 2008)the numbers are simply mind boggling.

The data is for 2005 and 99% and more of maternal deaths worldwide (estimated at 536,000) are from developing countries.

India accounted for 22% (ok 21.9 to be exact) - 117,000 of this.

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When it comes to unattended (by a skilled person) births, we again have the dubious distinction of being right on top and the numbers are even more appalling.

14.4 million births in this country were unattended. And that is 29.6 % of all unattended (by skilled personnel) births in the world.

Obviously, the two numbers are related.

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There is this huge opportunity in changing this grim picture. To start with, there is the opportunity for training skilled attendants (and in the process giving them a means of lively hood).

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