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According to the World Health Organization, a woman dies every minute from childbirth and pregnancy- related complications. This value is equivalent to three jumbo jets crashing daily, which amounts to over half a million deaths around the world every year. This problem has become so prevalent that the United Nations has declared that reducing maternal mortality by three-fourths before 2015 as one of its Millennium Development Goals.
The leading cause of maternal mortality is postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) (blood loss above 500 ml within the first 24 hours post-partum), which is responsible for 25% of maternal deaths around the world. Each year, approximately 14 million mothers suffer from postpartum hemorrhages.
This profound tragedy is compounded by the fact that these deaths are preventable through adequate maternal care. It is not surprising that 99 percent of maternal deaths occur in the developing world.
Fortunately, a drug called misoprostol, a prostalandin, can combat postpartum hemorrhage. This off-patent, heat-stable, low-cost and effective drug can be used to prevent and treat PPH. By investing resources in the research of Misoprostol and market distribution of the drug, we can end the epidemic of maternal death.
Please join us in this fight against maternal mortality. You can help by joining our research network or through your tax-deductible donation. With your help, we can bring an end to this devastating problem.
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