Abstract:
The study consisted of two components. The objective of the first component was to assess
the degree of completeness of reporting of maternal deaths through the vital registration
system within the Western Province of Sri Lanka. The second component of the study
identified all cases of maternal death occurring over a period of one year in seven provinces
in Sri Lanka except the northern and the eastern provinces. The study highlights the
importance of re-appraisal of quality of services avilable to the mother in general and also
the need to examine new approached to reach specific groups of women at high risk. A
special effort, possibly with a new approach , needs to be launched if deaths due to
haemorrhage are to be reduced
