Dear Editor, The recent HIQA report surrounding the tragic death of Savita Halappanavar, as covered by the media, seems to lack coverage of circumstantial evidence surrounding medical management and supply and the corresponding success/failure rate in providing maternity care in other countries.
What seems negligent, in a case which has ravaged the hearts of the Irish public, is Irish media’s failure to give public access to this context.
Fortunately, detailed and scientifically developed statistics are available from the UN for the year 2008 as well as in other documents available on the internet.
The figures I refer to, come in a report from UNICEF, Trends in Maternal Mortality: 1990-2008.
Annex 1, pp.23-6 of Maternal Mortality gives numbers for maternal deaths. The numbers are of deaths as a proportion of 100,000 live births.
In spite of the vociferous treatment by the media of the Galway tragedy, Ireland, with two deaths per 100,000 live births compares well in assisting mothers through this wonderful if at times deeply frightening and sad experience.
Maternal Deaths as a Proportion of Live Births (UNICEF):
Ireland – 2; Russian Federation – 600 ; United Kingdom – 90; Denmark – 3; France – 63; Finland – 4; Germany – 49; Latvia – 5; Serbia – 9; Vietnam- 840; China – 6,900; India – 63,000; United States of America – 1,000; Canada – 42; Argentina – 480; Brazil – 1,800.
The variation in numbers is more than striking. However statisticians may evaluate UNICEF’s data, one still has to say that the numbers are there, based on more than well-funded research and consequently should raise awkward questions.
Further clarifications no doubt are in train. On the other hand those who followed Savita’s progress to death in this country in print and in picture can draw some reassurance from this report.
Yours etc.,
Brian Gogan PhD,
Blackrock,
Co. Dublin.