PART IV: Medical sciences and public health

Title: A Strategic Plan to Reduce Maternal Mortality and Morbidity in Sudan

Author(s): Mayada Abu Affan

Address: Dudley Primary Care Trust, UK

Reference: First Sudanese Diaspora International Conference - 2009 pp. 83 - 86

Abstract/Summary: Reproductive health in Sudan remains poor. The achievement of the millennium development goals (MDGs) 4 and 5 are unlikely by 2010 if we do not adopt a radical approach to improve maternal health across the whole maternal care pathway. This paper discusses measures to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity across the whole maternal care pathway. The paper proposes a vision, aims and objectives of a strategic plan to improve maternal health. The proposed vision is to improve maternal health in Sudan through the integrated effort of all stakeholders across the whole maternal health care pathway. The paper proposes multifaceted approach to strategic planning that encompasses the following; measures to empower communities and individuals resulting in the development of the concept of the expert patient; measures to tackle the shortfalls of maternal health services through the development of integrated care pathways that cut across primary, secondary and tertiary health care; measures to reduce maternal health inequalities; and measures to measure maternal mortality through developing a maternal mortality national audit.

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