Safe Motherhood--the first decade

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Maternal Health
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• The Safe Motherhood Initiative launched in 1987 with a goal to reduce annual maternal deaths by 50% by the year 2000.
• Approximately 500,000 maternal deaths occurred annually worldwide prior to the initiative.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the progress of the Safe Motherhood Initiative.
• To identify future work required to reduce maternal mortality.
• To emphasize the critical role of midwives in maternal mortality reduction.

Main Methods:

• Review of progress of the Safe Motherhood Initiative.
• Keynote address at the 23rd Congress of the International Confederation of Midwives in May 1993.

Main Results:

• The Safe Motherhood Initiative's progress was described and reviewed.
• The essential role of midwives in reducing maternal mortality was recognized.

Conclusions:

• Midwives play a crucial role in reducing maternal mortality.
• Continued efforts are needed to further decrease maternal deaths globally.