Working with communities, governments and academic institutions to make pregnancy safer.
The major medical causes of maternal death and the effective interventions to prevent maternal death due to these causes are known. Yet, every year, an estimated 529,000 women die during and following pregnancy and childbirth. Most of these deaths occur in developing countries where other non-medical determinants of maternal health influence the accessibility to these interventions. Improvements in maternal health can be achieved through a health systems approach. Care should be provided as a continuum throughout the life cycle and across health facilities through the health system. Communities, professional organizations and academic institutions should work actively with the government to: provide a package of service, based on population health needs, that is close to home; ensure availability of essential medicines and commodities; address financial barriers to receiving care; strengthen the health workforce; and gather and use information to improve maternal health.
Mathai
Matthews
M
World Health Organization, Family & Community Health, Department of Making Pregnancy Safer, Avenue Appia 20, CH 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland. mathaim@who.int
D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006078:Government Programs; D006280:Health Workforce; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D008429:Maternal Welfare; D008490:Medical Informatics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*