Taib looks at a 4D ultrasound scan machine while briefed by Dr Ravi (left) during a tour of the exhibition site.
KUCHING: Delivering healthcare to the rural population in Sarawak has always been a challenge, considering the vast geographical areas where nearly 5,000 settlements are scattered.
Yang Di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said Sarawak therefore needed to formulate innovative strategies to reduce maternal mortality.
“This can be done through the sharing of ideas and experiences in a conference like this,” he said at the 24th Asian and Oceanic Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Aocog 2015) held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here yesterday.
The congress held for the first time in Kuching from June 3 to 6 attracted over 1,000 obstetricians and gynaecologists from 45 countries.
“Mortality occurs almost one every minute and the most disappointing fact is that 80 per cent of these deaths could have been prevented,” he said.
The maternal mortality rate in Malaysia, Taib revealed, had dropped from over 700 deaths in every 100,000 maternities in 1947 to about 29 deaths in every 100,000 maternities today.
The leading cause of maternal deaths in Malaysia, he added, has moved from postpartum haemorrhage (bleeding) and pre-eclampsia to thomboembolism (when a blood clot breaks loose and travels in the blood) and other medical disorders in pregnancy.
The reduction in causes of death was mainly through standardised guidelines and training in the management of medical problems that took into consideration local culture.
As maternal mortality falls, focus is shifting towards reducing maternal morbidity as the main thrust of the five millenium development goals.
“We are fortunate to have with us at this congress experts from the World Health Organisation to update on the latest concept,” he noted.
One of the issues faced by developing states, Sarawak included, was that of teenage pregnancy, Taib pointed out. A pre-congress workshop on sexual and reproductive health will address this issue.
Taib praised the Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society of Malaysia (OGSM) for developing the Emergency Obstetrics Training Programme introduced to local communities to improve clinical outcomes during emergencies.
“I hope the young participants will take home with them lessons learnt and challenging experiences in rural Sarawak to apply to serve their home community better,” he added.
Aocog 2015 congress president Dr Ravi Chandran said this congress enabled world-class healthcare professionals to share the latest scientific development, best practices and innovation to improve women’s health.
Core topics debated included safety in childbirth, high-risk pregnancy, medico-legal issues, infertility and contraception.
“Aofog and OGSM feel that the congress is the perfect platform for knowledge transfer and fostering lasting fellowship,” he said.
One of the highlights of the congress was the introduction of the Community Fellowship Programme which allowed 24 promising young obstetricians and gynaecologists from 12
Aofog member nations to attend and work alongside Malaysian healthcare providers in rural areas.
At the end of the programme, participants got to celebrate Gawai in a traditional Mongkos homestay.
Also present was Asia and Oceania Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology president Dr Kurian Joseph.
Taib cuts the ribbon to open the Congress’s exhibition at the lobby of BCCK.