Maternal and Newborn Health National Plans (Road Map) Assessment

Over the last several years, African countries have made a tremendous effort to develop national plans to reduce maternal and newborn mortalities and morbidities, as recommended by WHO/AFRO and the African Union (Maputo Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights Plan of action, 2006). As a contribution to the mid-term review of this effort, UNFPA has coordinated a review of progress in 33 countries, which indicates that efforts and technical assistance should be pursued and strengthened, in particular at the district level, and calls for the integration of national Maternal and Newborn Health plans with other national planning and budgeting processes.