WUNRN
Social Science Research Network
International Journal of Gynecology
& Obstetrics
Abstract Link (above) offers Click
to FULL TEXT.
University of British Columbia (UBC), Dept of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Faculty of Medicine
University of Toronto - Faculty of Law
2012
International Journal of Gynecology
and Obstetrics 119 (2012) S55-S59
Abstract:
Universal access to reproductive
health is a target of Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 5B, and along with MDG
5A to reduce maternal mortality by three-quarters, progress is currently too
slow for most countries to achieve these targets by 2015. Critical to success
are increased and sustainable numbers of skilled healthcare workers and
financing of essential medicines by governments, who have made political
commitments in United Nations forums to renew their efforts to reduce maternal
mortality. National essential medicine lists are not reflective of medicines
available free or at cost in facilities or in the community. The WHO Essential
Medicines List indicates medicines required for maternal and newborn health
including the full range of contraceptives and emergency contraception, but
there is no consistent monitoring of implementation of national lists through
procurement and supply even for basic essential drugs. Health advocates are
using human rights mechanisms to ensure governments honor their legal
commitments to ensure access to services essential for reproductive health.
Maternal mortality is recognized as a human rights violation by the United
Nations and constitutional and human rights are being used, and could be used
more effectively, to improve maternity services and to ensure access to drugs
essential for reproductive health.
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