The State of Maternal and Newborn Health in OIC Member Countries
Date: 29 September 2011

Maternal and Newborn Health (MNH) basically refers to health of women and babies during pregnancy, childbirth and after childbirth. Provision of quality care during this period is very critical for the health and very survival of mother and infant. According to the latest estimates, around half a million maternal and about four million newborn deaths are mainly caused by the lack of quality antenatal care, safe and clean delivery and post-natal care for mother and infant.

Maternal and newborn health is of serious concern in the OIC member countries. Every year around 0.2 million women and 2.4 million babies die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth in OIC member states. Majority of these deaths are occurring in member countries located mainly in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asian region. According to the latest estimates, these two regions accounted for 90 percent of maternal and 80 percent of neonatal deaths (dying within first four weeks of life) in OIC member countries. The higher prevalence of maternal and newborn mortality in these regions reflects inequities in access to health services across the OIC groups and underlines the gap between high income and low income member countries.

This report investigates the progress on maternal and newborn health in OIC member countries. It analyzes the maternal and newborn mortality trends and progress on some specific measures to improve MNH. The report also highlights the cooperation efforts within the OIC to improve MNH and suggests some policy measures to further enhance the pace of these efforts to achieve the goal of safe and healthy motherhood and childhood in all OIC member countries.

Online Electronic Version

The State of Maternal and Newborn Health in OIC Member Countries (English)