Ninety-nine percent of all maternal and newborn deaths in the world occur in low- and middle-income countries. The parallels between the timing of maternal and newborn deaths is no accident. Both women and their babies are in dire need of high-quality, skilled care. Following are four key steps toward improved integration of maternal and newborn care.
Frist, service provider training, and public and private sector funding mechanisms must be crafted in acknowledgment of the mother-baby pair. Second, a strong mother-baby focused continuum of care begins with comprehensive access to contraception. Next, women do not become mothers nor are babies born in isolation. Entire communities—especially partners, fathers, aunties, and grandmothers—play a role. Finally, it is essential to mobilize resources and attract political support for integration of maternal and newborn care. Furthermore, advocacy is key to prioritizing quality of care in all health system services.