23 September: WHO and its partners around the world issue a statement on the prevention and elimination of disrespect and abuse during facility-based delivery. Every woman has the right to the highest attainable standard of health, including the right to dignified, respectful care during pregnancy and childbirth. However, across the world many women experience disrespectful, abusive, or neglectful treatment during childbirth in facilities. These practices can violate women’s rights, deter women from seeking and using maternal health care services and can have implications for their health and well-being.
A new World Health Organization study reveals that only half of women who gave birth preterm in hospitals have received steroid injections which prevent death and disability among vulnerable, preterm newborns. The study is the largest to look at the use of these life-saving drugs internationally. These drugs have existed for decades, don’t require refrigeration, and cost less than US$ 1 an injection.
August 18, 2014 marked the 500-day milestone until the target date to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
With fewer than 500 days to the deadline of the MDGs, much remains to be done to achieve MDGs 4 and 5, aimed at reducing child and maternal deaths and improving maternal health. WHO Director-General Margaret Chan said, “We should judge the progress in humanity and the progress of any society or country by the way they treat their women and children. They have been lagging behind in the last 20 to 30 years of development. We should give them special attention.” Jason Gale of Bloomberg News speaks with Dr Margaret Chan and Dr Flavia Bustreo about the need to further accelerate progress.
A systematic review of the Robson Classification for Caesarean Section: What works, doesn’t work and how to improve it
JUNE 2014 - Caesarean section rates continue to increase worldwide, particularly in middle- and high-income countries without evidence indicating substantial maternal and perinatal benefits from the increase and some studies showing negative consequences for maternal and neonatal health. The lack of a standardized internationally-accepted classification system to monitor and compare CS rates in a consistent and action oriented manner is one of the factors that has hindered a better understanding of this trend.