How to fight infant mortality with fewer hospitals

Philadelphia maternity wards are overbooked

The lack of Obstetric care in Philadelphia is feeding infant mortality.

Over the last decade, Philadelphia has lost two-thirds of its maternity wards. Dr Owen Montgomery of the Drexel University College of Medicine says the closings mean patients have to wait weeks for an appointment.

“There is no significant financial or insurance barrier to care but there are some delays and at the overextended health centers it might be four to six weeks before a woman who calls who is pregnant can get in to have care. Late or no pre-natal care dramatically increases pre-term birth and infant mortality.”

Currently only the teaching hospitals in Philadelphia have maternity wards. Experts say Northeastern hospital’s decision to close entirely is hurting poor mom’s-to-be. They say the farther an expectant mother has to go for care the less likely she is to keep up with her visits.