Maternal and Perinatal Morbidity and Mortality: Findings from the WHO Multi-country Survey

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In the early 2000s, the World Health Organization (WHO) initiated an ambitious research project aimed at establishing a global network of health facilities providing maternity services. This network would not only enable WHO to generate knowledge related to maternal and perinatal health at the global level, but also aimed to foster collaboration and strengthen research capacity across the world. Between 2004 and 2008, the first round of research was implemented in 24 countries from Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The 2004–2008 Global Survey on Maternal and Perinatal Health resulted in a strong worldwide collaboration that produced over 25 research papers, several local and global policy briefs, and a number of master’s and doctorates at various universities around the world.[1, 2]

This supplement demonstrates the strengths of an effective global collaboration of clinicians, researchers, Ministries of Health, and WHO offices. Further efforts will be needed to continue the analytical work of this data set, including the combination of the 2004–2008 Global Survey and the 2010–2011 WHOMCS data sets: together, these databases have recorded data for more than 600 000 women and their newborns. Nevertheless, beyond the scientific articles, greater efforts will be required to put these findings and other valuable information into action, in order to improve the health of families, women, and children around the world. While acknowledging the obstacles, we are confident that with focus, persistence, and collaboration, science and health policy can work together to bring better lives to the most vulnerable populations.

The selection above was taken from “The World Health Organization Multi-country Survey on Maternal and Newborn Health project at a glance: the power of collaboration” editorial by J. Souza. Please click here to read the full editorial and to see a comprehensive list of references.


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