Report of the panel discussion

Abstract

In Africa, most of the causes of maternal, newborn and under-five deaths can be prevented with the existing cost-effective interventions. However, ensuring universal access and utilization of the key interventions remains a challenge. Mothers and children continue to die due to the triple delays in seeking appropriate care, reaching the health facility and receiving the appropriate management at the facility. 2. Lessons from maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) services show that community empowerment, participation and ownership of community-based interventions are essential for increasing utilization and access to services. This calls for the involvement of the community in the planning, implementation and monitoring of community-based health services. 3. Community-based interventions for increasing access to MNCH services are a major component of the “Road map for accelerating the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals related to maternal and newborn health”. The road map was adopted by Resolution AFR/RC54/R9 as the regional strategy for reducing maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality. The regional child survival strategy was proposed by Resolution AFR/RC56/R/5.