THE COST MATERNAL MORTALITY ON GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT IN SUDAN, 2015

CITATION: Mohamed, A., A., A., Nory, H., M., A., (2016). International Journal of Economics and Finance. Vol 5 (1). 142 – 165.

ABSTRACT

The study attempted to estimate impact indicators of maternal mortality on gross domestic product for Sudan. This is done in two different ways. First the study establishes the bidirectional correlation between reducing maternal mortality and the economic gain from such reduction. It also establishes the impact mechanism of such bidirectional relationship by clearly illustrating that maternal mortality have a particular impact as it affects the most active segment of female population upon whom the burden of maternal death mostly falls. It clearly illustrates how investment in safe motherhood can result in national economic benefits from individual through the economy wide levels. The study conceptualized the burden of MM on GDP through a schematic representation and then modeled this conceptual framework using statistical and econometric model. The study reviewed previous studies in the subject which are quite meager. Two estimates are provided: first by estimating the loss in Sudanese GDP attributable to maternal mortality through fitting a curve estimation technique using logit transformation of time series data on maternal mortality and gross domestic product for the period 1990 -2013. This model showed that If MMRs increases by 10 % GDP decreases by 6.5% and vise versa. The study also utilized Jose’s M. Kirigia, 2012 results of loss in total GDP and annual GDP based on a double log econometric model applied to cross-sectional data for 45 of the 46 Member States in the WHO African Region. The results came out approximately similar to our logit result which shows that Sudan total GDP loss as a result of maternal mortality in is US$ 1133 and annual GDP loss as a result of annual number of maternal death as (US$2.81). The conclusion that can be derived from this exercise is that investing in reproductive health; particularly on safe motherhood is smart economics

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(1) Professor, Sudan, University of Gezira, Faculty of Economic and Rural Development, Department of Applied Statistics and Demography.

(2): Associate Professor, Sudan, University of Gezira, Faculty of Economic and Rural Development, Department Applied Statistics and Demography.

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