Updated on Monday, February 02, 2009, 00:00 IST

Kathmandu, Feb 02: India has the highest child-birth fatalities among women in the SAARC nations followed closely by its neighbour Pakistan, according to a health report released here today.

India accounts for highest number of maternal deaths with 1,36,000 annually in South Asia, while its neighbour Pakistan shares the second position with figure of 26,000, the report compiled for SAARC said.

The report "Advocating Accountability: Status Report on maternal health and young people's sexual and reproductive health and rights in South Asia", was released by SAARC Secretary General Sheel Kant Sharma at a function here.

The main reason for higher maternal mortality, the report said was due to unskilled birth attendants aiding child birth.

The overall maternal mortality rate of the South Asian region is 500 per 1,00,000 live births, which is among the highest in the world. The region also accounts for 7.2 million unsafe abortions, according to the report.

"The member countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) should consolidate their efforts towards improving maternal health in the region bringing down the death related to child birth," Sharma said.

He also said that "SAARC will support efforts made by the member countries to improve the health of mother and child as the region is known for high maternal mortality risk."

Bureau Report