Maternal health in the eastern Mediterranean region of the World Health Organization.
Globally, progress in improving the survival and well-being of mothers has been slow, and this holds true for the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Thus at the current pace, it is unlikely that the Millennium Development Goal related improving maternal health will be achieved in the Region by the year 2015. This paper outlines the factors contributing to maternal mortality and poor health in the Region and the challenges faced. The action needed to redress the situation and improve maternal health, and hence achieve the fourth Millennium Development Goal, is presented.
Mahaini
R
R
Family and Community Health, Division of Health Promotion and Protection, WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, Cairo, Egypt. mahainir@emro.who.int
Mahmoud
H
H
D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D014943:Global Health; D005102:Health Expenditures; D006292:Health Priorities; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006304:Health Status; D040361:Healthy People Programs / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008428:Maternal Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D008429:Maternal Welfare / Q000639:trends*; D019083:Mediterranean Region / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D015996:Survival Rate; D014163:Transfer, Psychology; D014944:World Health Organization / Q000458:organization & administration*