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17
Dealing with the problem of maternal mortality the Ministry
of Health have addressed to Maternity and Child Welfare authorities
Circular 1167, dated 11th December, 1930, on the subject of the
interim report of the Departmental Committee on Maternal Mortality.
Tt is pointed out in the Circular that the Government have
considered the recommendations made by the Committee for
removing the causes of preventable maternal death, and have
decided to undertake the necessary negotiations with the various
authorities, with a view to formulating a scheme on a national
basis for the care of maternity which would provide the services
suggested by the Committee. The Report makes it clear that two
of the essential measures for securing a reduction in maternal
mortality are : (1). general and sustained efforts to enlighten the
women of the country as to the importance of ante-natal supervision,
and (2). the improvement and expansion, where necessary,
of the maternity services of local authorities, which must form an
important part of any national scheme
Accompanying the Circular was a Memorandum (156/M.C.W.),
dealing with the ante-natal services, the functions of the clinics,
the supply of midwives, the services of consultants, the provision
of hospital accommodation, ancillary services, and the importance
of educating public opinion on the subject of maternal welfare.
The Memorandum with its suggestions for improvements in
the Maternity Services received the consideration of the Maternity
and Child Welfare Committee and the following measures were
adopted to provide an extension of the service :—
Ante-Natal Centre.—The Council sanctioned the provision
of an additional ante natal session on alternate weeks as from 1st
April, 1930 ; as this was found to be still insufficient for the proper
examination of those in attendance the Council authorised the holding
of two ante natal sessions weekly as from 1st January, 1931.
Provision of Maternity Beds in hospitals.--The Council
adopted the following scheme by which maternity patients may be
admitted to the Mothers' Hospital, Clapton.