Why did Safar Banu Die?

Today I read a story about Safar Banu. A 43 year old woman who had given birth to 9 children previously without the help of a clinic or ever visiting a clinic. She was too busy and basically could not afford to visit the clinic. Safar wanted to use Contraceptives but her husband threatened to divorce her if she did. When she found out she was pregnant a 10th time, she cried. The husband had a great of faith in Gopal Daktar the local healer. The birth was very difficult as Safar had suffered an Anaemic condition with was unrecognised throughout her pregnancy. After many complications Safar Banu died 8 days later. The facts from this case?

• The husband became aware too late of the wife's critical state by refusing to listen to the midwife
• Safar worked really hard and ate only after her husband and sons had eaten
• She drank only water when there was no rice
• When she was ill she went to her mother-a poor woman herself- for help
• The husband only thought of his illness not his wife's

After reading this story my heart cried out for Safar and so many other women. All i could ask was why. Whose fault was it? Was it Safar's? the husbands? The Daktar's? The Government?
Too many questions to be asked and no answers.


Sourced: White, A. C., Merrick, T. W., Yazbeck, A. S. (2006). Reproductive Health: The Missing Millennium Development Goal. Washington, DC: The World Bank.