Millennium development Goal 5: progress and challenges in reducing maternal deaths in Ghana

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Debate

Minerva Kyei-Nimakoh¹  Mary Carolan-Olah¹  Terence V. McCann¹ 

[1] Centre for Chronic Disease, College of Health and Biomedicine, Victoria University, PO Box 14428, 8001, Melbourne, VIC, Australia;

关键词: Millennium development goals;    MDG 5;    Ghana;    Obstetric care;    Maternal deaths;    Maternal health;    Maternal mortality ratio;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12884-016-0840-0

 received in 2014-06-25, accepted in 2016-03-04,  发布年份 2016

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundHigh maternal deaths in developing countries are recognised as a public health issue. To address this concern, targets were set as part of the Millennium Development Goals, launched in 2000 by the United Nations General Assembly. However, despite focused efforts, the maternal health targets in developing regions may not be achieved by 2015.DiscussionWe highlight progress and challenges in reducing maternal deaths, with a particular focus on Ghana. We discuss key issues like the free maternal healthcare package, transportation and referral concerns, human resources challenges, as well as the introduction of direct-entry midwifery training and the Community-based Health and Planning Services rolled out to specifically help curb poor maternal health outcomes.SummaryA key contribution to the country’s slow progress towards achieving Millennium Development Goal 5 is that policy choices have often been in response to emergency or advancing problems rather than the use of preventive measures. Ghana can benefit greatly from long-term preventive strategies, the development of human resources, infrastructure and community health education.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Kyei-Nimakoh et al. 2016