The partnership for safe motherhood and newborn health: announcing the launch of an expanded global initiative to promote the health and survival of women and newborns in the developing world.

The scope of the problem

* Every minute a woman dies during pregnancy or childbirth--more than half a million deaths per year.

* More than seven million infants will die each year before reaching their first birthday.

* Most maternal and newborn deaths take place in developing countries; almost all of these deaths can be prevented.

* These deaths represent an enormous loss to a nation--preventing them is not only a health priority but a matter of human rights and social justice.

* The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), endorsed by the United Nations' member states, provide concrete targets for reducing maternal and child mortality by the year 2015.

Background

The global Safe Motherhood Initiative was hunched in 1987 in response to the unacceptably high levels of maternal deaths taking place in the developing world. Since then, a great deal has been learned about effective and affordable strategies for saving women's lives during pregnancy and childbirth, and about the links between maternal and newborn well-being. A number of countries have been able to reduce maternal and newborn deaths by investing in proven, cost-effective interventions and by strengthening health systems. But in many countries women and their newborns continue to die and suffer needlessly.

In January 2004, a broad Partnership for Safe Motherhood and Newborn Health was established to reinvigorate and expand the global Initiative. Building on the opportunity provided by the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Partnership will create synergy among the many stakeholders working to ensure all women and newborns enjoy the right to safe pregnancy outcomes.

We know what works to reduce mammal and newborn deaths; what we need to do is intensify political will and increase resources to save the lives of women and newborns in low resource settings.

Aims, objectives and structure of the Partnership

The Partnership will aim to strengthen and expand maternal and newborn health efforts within the broader goals of poverty reduction, equity, and human rights. The Partnership will in particular address the enormous health disparities that exist between urban and rural populations and between rich and poor. Specifically, the Partnership will:

* Advocate for increased political will and for progress toward the goals of the Millennium Declaration, as well as other relevant internationally-agreed goals.

* Strengthen commitment to improved access and quality of care.

* Foster...