Chief Medical Officer concerned about pregnant women and H1N1

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Sheila Campbell Forrester is calling for greater focus on the health of pregnant women especially in light of the expected second wave of the Influenza A (H1N1) virus.



Pregnant women are among the persons who fall within the high risk category for complications from the virus that can lead to death.



Dr Campbell Forrester, was addressing a symposium put on by the Victoria Jubilee Hospital on Sunday.



She urged doctors to be more vigilant and observe for symptoms of Influenza A (H1N1) when a pregnant woman visits health facilities.



Dr Campbell-Forrester said a second wave of the virus would have more severe consequences in young people, pregnant women and persons with underlying chronic diseases.



She also said it has been shown that early intervention and treatment with Tamiflu can make all the difference in the mortality and severity of the illness.



The chief medical officer said the health ministry has put in place a number of measures as part of its Safe Motherhood strategic plan to improve the health of pregnant women and infants.



As part of the plan the ministry is also working to improve the equipment and facilities available to health facilities and increase the training for midwives to address the 47 per cent shortage.



The Safe Motherhood Strategic Plan provides the framework for achieving a marked reduction in maternal and infant deaths.



Jamaica is working towards moving from the current ratio of 95 deaths to 100 thousand live births to 25 deaths to 100 thousand live births by 2015 as part of the Millennium Development Goals.