Brussels, 04/09/2008 (Agence Europe) - In Brussels on Thursday 4 September, the European Parliament adopted a resolution by 394 votes to 182, with 34 abstentions, thereby expressing its deep concern that maternal mortality (5th Millennium Development Goal) is the only goal for which not only has there been no progress since 2000, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and in Southern Asia, but indeed has seen no progress for 20 years: almost 536,000 women die in childbirth every year and over 60,000 from abortions carried out in poor conditions.
Parliament has called on the Council and Commission to reduce the differences in maternal mortality rates between industrialised and developing countries by increasing investment and efforts to improve human resources in the areas of health, health systems and basic health infrastructure, particularly in terms of funding for follow-ups, basic public health, community action and essential support. It has called on the Council and Commission to extend maternal health care services as part of primary health care, based on the concept of informed choice, education on safe childbirth, targeted and effective ante-natal care, maternal nutrition programmes, appropriate childbirth assistance, avoiding excessive use of caesarean sections and able to meet obstetrical emergencies, pregnancy, childbirth and abortion-related complications advice provision, post-natal care and family planning. Parliament also calls for improvement in national HIV test health programmes and during pregnancy, antiretroviral treatment for HIV-positive pregnant women and HIV prevention measures, such as information and education campaigns. It also calls on member states which have yet to ban harmful practices and traditions, such female genital mutilation, to take steps and back information campaigns warning of these practices. (O.J./transl.rt)