Does the emergency obstetric care approach contribute to maternal mortality reduction? An evaluation after five years

Vincent Fauveau, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

It is now well established that the majority of severe obstetric complications cannot be predicted nor prevented, but can be treated if Emergency Obstetric Care (EmOC) is available, accessible, and of good quality. Focusing on institutional deliveries, the objective of the study was to improve the provision and quality of basic and comprehensive life-saving EmOC functions. To monitor progress, six UN EmOC process indicators were used, assessing whether women who develop serious obstetric complications receive the appropriate services. Indicators were followed for 4 years after baseline in selected areas of Morocco, Mozambique, India (Rajasthan), Nicaragua, and Senegal, where UNFPA has a partnership with Averting Maternal Death and Disability (AMDD, Columbia University). The paper presents trends and discusses methodological constraints. It concludes with an additional benefit: ownership by national health systems, and decision to extend the EmOC approach in the whole country as part of the maternal mortality reduction strategy