Improving the availability of emergency obstetric care in conflict-affected settings

Abstract

This paper describes an emergency obstetric care (EmOC) project implemented by the Reproductive Health Response in Conflict (RHRC) Consortium in 12 conflict-affected settings in nine countries from 2000–2005 with funding and technical support from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health Averting Maternal Death and Disability (AMDD) programme. The overall goal of the project was to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality in select conflict-affected settings by improving the availability of EmOC. Another aim of the project was to institutionalize EmOC within RHRC Consortium agencies by modelling how to improve the availability of basic and comprehensive EmOC at clinics and hospitals. The specific project purpose was to increase the availability of EmOC in select conflict-affected settings. The project demonstrated that a great deal more can and should be done by humanitarian workers to improve the availability of basic and comprehensive emergency obstetric services in conflict-affected settings.

Keywords:

• Refugees
• internally displaced
• conflict-affected
• emergency obstetric care

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge the AMDD Program at the Helibrunn Department of Population and Family Health, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Notes

1. Reproductive Health Response in Conflict Consortium, formerly known as the Reproductive Health for Refugees Consortium, comprises seven agencies: American Refugee Committee, CARE International, Columbia University Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health, International Rescue Committee, JSI Research and Training Institute, Marie Stopes International and Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children. It was established in 1995 to improve conflict-affected populations’ access to good quality comprehensive reproductive health care.

2. IPAS is a non-governmental organization that has worked for three decades to increase women's ability to exercise their sexual and reproductive rights and to reduce deaths and injuries for women from unsafe abortion.

3. Women of reproductive age (WRA) is based on 25% of population.

4. Based on 20% of WRA.

5. Based on 15% of all pregnant women.