Maternal health in the Eastern Mediterranean Region of the World Health Organization

Globally, progress in improving the survival and well-being of mothers has been slow, and this holds true for the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Thus at the current pace, it is unlikely that the Millennium Development Goal related improving maternal health will be achieved in the Region by the year 2015. This paper outlines the factors contributing to maternal mortality and poor health in the Region and the challenges faced. The action needed to redress the situation and improve maternal health, and hence achieve the fourth Millennium Development Goal, is presented

Family planning services and programmes in countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region

This paper presents the findings of a 1999 survey of 19 countries of the World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Region on the family planning services and programmes in the Region. Data were collected using a questionnaire which explored the following areas: the presence of population or family planning policies and family planning activities, the family planning services available, promotional and educational activities on family planning, quality assurance, family planning data collection, analysis and dissemination, and the use of such information. The results indicate that 13 of the countries have national policies on population and family planning but even in those that do not, family planning services are widely available. The scope of the services provided varied. There is still a need to implement or strengthen family planning programmes in the Region, a need which is recognized by the countries themselves

Maternal mortality surveillance and maternal death reviews in countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region

This paper presents the findings of a 1999 survey of 19 countries of the World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Region on maternal mortality surveillance systems and death review activities in the Region. Data were collected by questionnaire completed by ministry of health personnel. The findings show that 13 countries require official reporting of deaths of women of reproductive age. Most of the countries conduct maternal death reviews although only 8 have surveillance systems. Other areas investigated were the sources of information on maternal deaths, types of data collected, how the data are analysed and how such data are used. There is a need to strengthen information systems on maternal mortality in the Region in order to guide decision-makers in the planning and evaluation of maternal health programmes

Caring for the elderly: a report on the status of care for the elderly in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

To update our understanding of the status of elderly health care within the context of the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office's Strategy Paper on Elderly Care [1995], a short questionnaire was sent to all Member States of the Region, except Afghanistan and Somalia. The questionnaire sought information on the proportion of the elderly in the population, the status of health care and the level of economic, social, cultural and physical assistance available to the elderly. Of the 21 countries in the survey, 18 [86%] responded. The findings of the survey are discussed here under the headings of demography, national policies on elderly care, social benefits, health care, social and community services, economic burden and the role of the non-government sector