Country experience with strengthening of health systems and deployment of midwives in countries with high maternal mortality

Wim Van Lerberghe, Zoe Matthews, Endang Achadi, Chiara Ancona, James Campbell, Amos Channon, Luc De Bernis, Vincent De Brouwere, Vincent Fauveau, Helga Fogstad, Marge Koblinsky, Jerker Liljestrand, Abdelhay Mechbal, Susan F. Murray, Tung Rathavay, Helen Rehr, Fabienne Richard, Petra Ten Hoope-Bender, Sabera Turkmani

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

129 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper complements the other papers in the Lancet Series on midwifery by documenting the experience of low-income and middle-income countries that deployed midwives as one of the core constituents of their strategy to improve maternal and newborn health. It examines the constellation of various diverse health-system strengthening interventions deployed by Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Morocco, among which the scaling up of the pre-service education of midwives was only one element. Efforts in health system strengthening in these countries have been characterised by: expansion of the network of health facilities with increased uptake of facility birthing, scaling up of the production of midwives, reduction of financial barriers, and late attention for improving the quality of care. Overmedicalisation and respectful woman-centred care have received little or no attention.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1215-1225
Number of pages11
JournalThe Lancet
Volume384
Issue number9949
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 27 2014

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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