Kathmandu, January 29:

Women in least developed countries are 300 times more likely to die during childbirth or from pregnancy related complications than those in developed countries, according to

the State of the World’s Children report 2009 publicised today.

The report disclosed that a child born in a developing country is almost 14 times likely to die

during the first month of life than the one born in a developed country.

According to it, every year more than half a million women die as a result of pregnancy or childbirth complications that includes about 70,000 girls and young women aged between 15 to 19 years. Approximately 99 per cent of global deaths arising from pregnancy and complications occur in the developing world where bearing child remains among the most serious health risks for women, stated the report.

According to the government statistics, maternity mortality ratio is a high — 281 per 100,000 live births in Nepal. Gillian Mellsop, UNICEF representative to Nepal, said the government had taken the issue seriously and was effortful to reduce the unacceptable level of danger for expecting women.

Mellsop added that only 19 per cent deliveries are aided by a skilled birth attendant while a mere 18 per cent of mothers deliver their babies in relatively safer health centres. She said Safe Delivery Incentive Programme introduced two years ago and free Institutional Delivery Scheme initiated this month were good initiatives for safety of mother and newborn.

The budget increment for the health sector by almost 54 per cent in this fiscal year was a positive move, she said, adding that the newborn care package was a serious step to address the issue.

She further said that the second long-term Safe Motherhood Neonatal Plan would care pregnant mother and the child.

Dr Sudha Sharma, health secretary, said the government had made a significant progress in reducing under-5 mortality.