Title: Government policies on maternal mortality: theory and practice.

POPLINE Document Number: 108707

Author(s):

Ansari AM

Source citation:

In: Maternal and infant mortality policy and interventions: Report of an international workshop at the Aga Khan University, February 7-9, 1994. [Karachi, Pakistan], Aga Khan University, 1994. :79-82.

Abstract:

National health policy in Pakistan as of 1990 clearly stresses the importance of maternal and child health (MCH). The World Bank recently introduced the Family Health Project (FHP) in each of the country's provinces. Indeed, the provincial health department is already implementing the FHP in Sindh province with the following objectives: to increase the availability and quality of maternal-child health services, including family planning, in order to reduce the levels of maternal and infant mortality; to improve the quality and integration of primary health care services to enhance the effectiveness of the existing health care network; and to build institutional capacities to realize these objectives. High-risk pregnancy cases will be referred to higher levels of service, while difficult labor cases will be referred to secondary and tertiary care hospitals. Traditional birth attendant and community health worker training programs are being revitalized in the interest of maximizing the proportion of safe deliveries and the proper referral of risk cases, population control measures and breast feeding are encouraged, and a committee of experts has been formed to advise the government on maternal mortality and how to reduce it. Actual practice and constraints are discussed.

Keywords:

Pakistan
Social Policy
Maternal Mortality
World Bank
Maternal-Child Health Services
Asia, Southern
Asia
Developing Countries
Policy
Mortality
Population Dynamics
Demographic Factors
Population
International Agencies
Organizations
Primary Health Care
Health Services
Delivery of Health Care
Health