MATERNAL WELFARE

Wairarapa Age, 10 August 1935, Page 5

MATERNAL WELFARE

NEW ZEALAND’S FAVOURABLE POSITION. MORTALITY OF MOTHERS AND CHILDREN. SEPTIC ABORTION A SOCIAL PROBLEM. “Septic abortion is not an obstetrical problem," said Sir Alexander Young, Minister of Public Health, speaking in the Masterton Municipal Hall last night, when referring to maternal welfare; “it is a social problem and should be taken up by women's societies. ' ’

Sir Alexander said the marked reduction in the number of maternal deaths in our country during the past year was a reason for satisfaction and justified optimism for the future. Up to 1927 the death rate from the risks of pregnancy and childbirth per 1000 live births was high both absolutely and in comparison with other countries. The Government Statistician was able to state that in 1932 (later figure® for overseas countries were not available), of the following eight comparable countries—Holland, 3.02; New Zealand, 4.06; England and Wales, 4.21; Irish Free State, 4.55; Canada, 5.05; United States of America, 5.78; Australia, 5.57 and Scotland, 6.33—New Zealand had the second lowest maternal mortality from all puerperal causes, the only country with a lower mortality being Holland, which for many years had held the premier position with regard to maternal welfare, with a remarkably low maternal death rate.

Passing on to refer to puerperal sepsis other than septic abortion, Sir Alexander Young said that up to 1927 the high maternal death rate of New Zealand was mainly due to the large number of deaths from puerperal sepsis following childbirth, the average being over 50 per annum. Due to the measures taken by the Health Department, ably seconded by the medical and nursing professions of New Zealand, the number of deaths from this cause had been reduced year by year until in the last three years the average number of deaths had been fifteen. In 1932 New* Zealand held the proud position of having the lowest death rate from this cause of the eight countries mentioned.

“It m, however, a matter of concern," said the Minister, “that since 1928 the number of deaths from septic abortion has risen to the most alarming proportions. Prior to this date the total number was approximately 14 per year; last year the number was 42 and of these 29 were married women. This appalling sacrifice of life, due not to the risks of reproduction but to the risks of limiting reproduction is a social, as opposed to a medical, problem. It cannot be dealt with by the Health Department alone, who require and earnestly desire the co-operation of societies of women particularly concerned with women's social welfare. Septic abortion is not' an obstetrical problem. It is a social problem and should fee taken up by women’s societies. ’’ Brief reference was made by Sir Alexander Young to other aspects of the country's health. New Zealand, he said, for three years in succession had a very low incidence of infectious disease and had maintained its favourable position in regard to the general death rate. The infantile death rate had shown a slight increase last year. Referring to the work of the Plunket Society, Sir Alexander said that 27 years ago, prior to the establishment of th & Plunket Society, the number of babies who died in New Zealand, in the first year of life was something over 80 per thousand live births. That had gradually dropped until last year the death rate was 32.11. That was a record of which they had every reason I to be deeply proud. They had to get the death rate down to the irreducible minimum. During the first month of life more babies died than during the next eleven months and everything was being done to see how this mortality could be reduced.