Essential elements of national Safe Motherhood programmes
Safe motherhood 1992(9 Suppl): ii
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 1014-952X PMID: 12318985 Document Number: 525237
The Safe Motherhood Programme has developed a diagram explaining the necessary components of maternal health care at local centers and district hospitals. It helps countries identify gaps in local and district services. Communities need to organize efforts geared to preventing maternal deaths and health authorities need to provide local services to achieve suitable community care for women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. These efforts and services must include available, accessible, appropriate, and affordable family planning information and services. Health centers and district hospitals must provide the essential elements of obstetric care to handle complications of pregnancy and delivery and to guarantee the health and survival of infants. Reliable transportation and communication plans are essential so women can be referred to the district hospital or a first level referral center with emergency capabilities. Countries need to develop safe motherhood programs in the context of primary health care (PHC): equity, community participation, and intersectoral coordination. Centralized support and political commitment at the highest levels of government, redistribution of resources, and preferential help for the most disadvantaged groups are needed to achieve equity in health care for women. Community leaders and women's groups should work together to solve social, cultural, and economic problems that restrict access to health services. They also should mobilize resources and support and create demand for services. Collaboration among all sectors involved in development, both inside and outside the health system, is needed to achieve successful integration of safe motherhood programs into PHC. Some factors which contribute to effective functioning of health services and which reach those in greatest need include literacy, water and sanitation, and transport and communications.