Tag: maternal mortality

The Healthcare that Michael Moore Loves

~ Pharmer

CastroCare In Crisis: Mounting Strains.

Some fun facts from Cuba…. the hospital patients supply their own syringes, bedsheets,  and towels in order to stave off nosocomial   infection.   Sterile equipment and disinfectants are in short supply in Cuba’s hospitals.

Cervical cancer is the fourth leading cause of death among Cuban woman, and it is largely preventable, but Pap smears are no longer routine for fear of the unhygenic exam practices.

Maternal death, blamed on medical neglect post partum is also on the rise under Castrocare.

Least surprise of all,  doctor defections are rampant, with many returning from (training) abroad only to leave health care for jobs which will bring them convertible currency.    The Castro answer is to reduce placements in other countries.

The Politics of Maternal Mortality

~ Pharmer

The Associated Press: Lancet: Sharp drop in maternal deaths worldwide.

Editor of the Lancet,  Richard Horton, despite pressure from advocacy groups seeking UN grants,  published a paper on Sunday  showing a marked drop in worldwide maternal mortality rates.

Advocacy can sometimes gets in the way of science,  Horton said, indicating his disappointment at the pressure.

Maternal deaths fell from a half million yearly in 1980 to about 343,ooo in 2008.

Delay of the story until after the UN meetings was sought, as it was felt that this good news would impede the ability of various groups to obtain funding for their various methods of preventing births, which includes, of course, abortions.

Lifenews notes that Ireland, a country with pro-life laws in place,  has the lowest maternal mortality rate, while Nepal,  a country with abortion on demand, has one of the highest rates.

Maternal mortality Increased by 42% in the United States between 1980 and 2008, according to the study.  During this period,  federal law permitted abortion at all stages of pregnancy.

The study by Christopher Murray and colleagues at Washington State was funded by……… believe it or not, Bill and Melinda Gates.