Maternal and Child Survival : Findings from Five Countries Experience in Addressing Maternal and Child Health Challenges
Considerable progress has been made towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) since 1990. Although advances in improving MDG 4 and MDG 5a (reducing child and maternal mortality, respectively) have been made, progress is som...
Main Authors: | , , , |
---|---|
Format: | Working Paper |
Language: | English en_US |
Published: |
World Bank, Washington, DC
2014
|
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2014/05/20275501/maternal-child-survival-findings-five-countries-experience-addressing-maternal-child-health-challenges http://hdl.handle.net/10986/20757 |
Summary: | Considerable progress has been made
towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals
(MDGs) since 1990. Although advances in improving MDG 4 and
MDG 5a (reducing child and maternal mortality, respectively)
have been made, progress is some countries have been
insufficient. While some countries have made substantial
gains, others have not. This paper is part of a larger study
that aims to address this gap in knowledge. The paper
discusses the findings from qualitative case studies of five
countries that are either on track to meet MDGs 4 and 5a by
2015 or have made significant progress to this end (Bolivia,
China, Egypt, Malawi and Nepal). Although they have
different socio-economic characteristics, all have made
significant advancements due to a strong commitment to
improving maternal and child health. To do this, strong
political commitment, through policies backed by financial
and programmatic support, was critical. In addition,
focusing on the most vulnerable populations helped increase
access to and use of services. Empowering women and families
through education, employment, and poverty reduction
programs have led to better health outcomes. These countries
still face challenges, however, in terms of the evolving
health system, and changes at the economic, social and
political levels. Future qualitative and quantitative
analyses on the returns of health investments, the political
context and institutional arrangements at the country level
could help deepen the understanding of the ways in which
various countries, with their unique conditions, can improve MCH. |
---|