Regional Maternal Mortality Initiative (LAMM)

1. Regional Maternal Mortality Initiative (LAMM) POLICY AGENDA PRESENTATION Dr. Virginia Camacho Hubner Regional Advisor Maternal Mortality Reduction Initiative Pan American Health Organization World Health Organization

2. The Latin America Maternal Mortality Initiative (LAMM) • LAMM is a joint effort for maternal mortality reduction, between PAHO, the Quality Assurance Project and USAID with a focus on: • Policy development for EOC implementation • Power of Partnerships • Skilled Attendance at Birth • Increasing utilization, quality and availability of maternal health services • Maternal mortality surveillance system

3. Quality Assurance Community Mobilization Policy • Effective mobilization of resources • Timely & appropriate seeking of care • Accessible & acceptable services Use of maternal health services  maternal mortality & morbidity

4. Increased Utilization of Maternal Health Services Generate Community Demand Develop Policies & Plans Access to Quality Services H y p o t h e s I s

5. Countries in the Initiative • Based on the highest maternal mortality ratios in the Region • Dominican Republic - Haiti - Guatemala - Honduras - Nicaragua - El Salvador - Bolivia - Brazil - Peru -Ecuador and Paraguay

6. Why PAHO? • WHO Regional Office : Part of global strategies (Bolivia, MPS), Disseminate State of the Art, promote evidence based policies and practices. • Neutrality (No Foreign Interest) • Infrastructure & Presence in Countries • Financial Transparency (Audit)

7. Why PAHO? Technical Excellence Examples: • Dissemination of State of the Art (e.g., EOC- IMPAC) • Surveillance • Health Sector Reform: • PAHO and World Bank ; Haiti - Bolivia - Brazil • Needs assessments, case studies, include maternal health in the HSR

8. Why PAHO?Contributes With Own Resources (Multiplier) Examples: • Legislative Framework in Safe Motherhood • Maternal Health Profiles in the 11 countries of the Initiative • Health Systems • Pool internal PAHO resources • Maternal mortality trends • Case studies on Maternal Mortality ( successful experiences)

9. WHY PAHO?Access to Government and Policy Dialogue Examples: • Engage NGO’s in advocacy dialogues; Family Care International in Haiti and DR, Bolivia • QAP- Development site in Bolivia • PAHO facilitated dialogue at the Central and Local levels to support the “value of having a demonstration site” • First Ladies • Interagency coordinating committee at national level

10. Why PAHO? Intercountry Coordination Example: • Coalition building: Regional Interagency Task Force on Maternal Mortality Reduction • The Power of Partnerships: (PAHO, World Bank, IDB, USAID, UNICEF, UNFPA, Family Care International and the Population Council) • Promote a Consensus Statement & Common Strategy on maternal mortality reduction

11. Why PAHO?Cross - Fertilization Among Countries Examples: • QAP methodology: Demonstration sites for improved maternal health care • Feasible, cost-effective, simple to replicate • Case Study visit- Honduras • EOC Implementation at local level • Visits to maternal waiting homes