‘Internet Can Help Reduce Maternal Mortality’

Director General,

Xiamen Women-Children Hospital,  Ms Li Jian , has said that provision of medical information through the internet would reduce maternal mortality.

Jian, who said this when participants attending a capacity building workshop for women from developing countries, paid a visit to the hospital in Xiamen, China, noted that this would enable doctors access information of a patient anywhere in the world.

“When there is adequate medical information through the Internet, any pregnant woman who travels outside her home country can access her information in case of pregnancy related problems. This will enable the doctor to know her history and treat her appropriately without delay,” she said.

She explained that even when fire destroys the hospital facilities, the information would still be available.

She urged African countries to put in place a complimentary health care facility for women.

In an interview with our correspondent some of the participants urged developing countries to ensure the provision of such information for better health care delivery in their countries.

Mrs Tesfayenesh Lema, Director, Ministry of Women , Children and Youth Affairs, Ethiopia, said if there was such a system in place, “pregnant women can attend clinics whenever they are out of town of their residence”.

Another participant, Mrs Leona Tamag, said governments in developing countries must ensure that computers with internet access were made available in all hospitals to ensure availability of such information.