MATERNAL MORTALITY.

Evening Star, Issue 18623, 2 May 1924, Page 4

MATERNAL MORTALITY.

The general death rate in New Zealand is about the lowest, in tho world. Tho rate of infantile mortality, based on tho deaths of children under one year of age, is the lowest. These are legitimate causes for satisfaction and pride, but it would bo foolish if, in our boasting of them, we should lose sight of other statistics which are much less (reditable to this country. While giving full credit for tho good records established, Sir Maui Pomare, as Health Minister, floes a public service when in plain words he directs attention to tho other side of the shield. The maternal death rata in New Zealand is not low, but high, in comparison with those of other countries, notwithstanding all our natural advantages. That was suspected, but not proved, two and a-half year's ago. The suggestion was first found in American tables of comparison, wliich gave no small shock to our national pride. A committee of tho Board of Health was set up to investigate the question, but it was not clear then whether tho unflattering comparison was a just on© for New Zealand, because it was not known whether tho statistics on which it was based, for America, this country, 'and others, were framed on the same system- Apparently tho authorities have now satisfied themselves that they are, since the Health Minister has endorsed the comparative bad showing, and can speak of it as a stigma

on New Zealand. He gives the maternal death rate for this country as 5.1 per 1,000. For 1920 it was given ns 6.48. It would appear, tlieiefore, that some improvement lias been made since the peak increase which .disturbed the Board of Health’s committee was registered, unless the basis of statistics has been since modified. But at 5.1 the mortality rate is too high. The mere fact that it is more than twice as high as Denmark’s shows the, room that exists for improvement in this connection.

At two other points our weakness is shown. Wo do not save yet all the babies wo should, and which in other countries are saved, under one month of age. That is the coiner of the Plunkct Society’s field in which it has been least successful. The rate of still births for New Zealand, moreover, reached its highest point for the last twelve months. But the most disturbing of this series of weaknesses undoubtedly is the maternal mortality rale. The Board of Health’s committee made some suggestions as to iiow the conditions of childbirth might be improved in future. Dr Truhy King would ascribe no small part of the excessive mortality to the impatience of doctors —-and of too many mothers—which brings “ meddlesome midwifery,” as he has called it, to the assistance of Nature, needing no assistance on the surgeon’s part when her laws are observed. The Health Minister notes other aspects of the problem, which he says rigidly is one for the genera! public and the medical, and nursing professions, as welt as his department, to consider with like seriousness, though his department will, not cease to do its best for improvement. We have no doubt that a great deal can bo done by the right education of prospective mothers. That is work which comes well within the sphere of the beneficent Pluuket .Society, whose importance it fully realises, and the society cannot be helped too much in its attention to it.