Safe motherhood requires investments in key health commodities and systems

By Rebecca Bronheim

As a global society, we would fail without the contribution of women to business, family, science, agriculture, governance, and other areas. And yet, worldwide, women are denied equal opportunities and face obstacles that prevent their ability to thrive.?On this day of International Maternal Health and Rights, I would like to push the global community to consider: how are we investing in women and mothers?

Every two minutes, a woman dies during pregnancy or childbirth. Postpartum hemorrhage, high blood pressure, pregnancy-related infections, complications from unsafe abortion, and underlying conditions that can be aggravated by pregnancy (such as HIV/AIDS and malaria) are the leading causes of maternal deaths. These are all largely preventable and treatable with access to affordable, quality medicines and care.?

In contrast to other health areas that receive significant funding, maternal health is rarely prioritized. In some contexts, supply chain systems don't sufficiently address maternal commodity needs. Examples include not aligning with WHO global guidelines, inadequate investment in national quantifications, inappropriate management of temperature-sensitive commodities (such as oxytocin), and more. These gaps can result in various problems; most notably, medicine is not available when the mother needs it.?

The USAID Global Health Supply Chain Program-Procurement and Supply Management (GHSC-PSM) project supports governments to?procure and supply maternal health commodities to ensure pregnancy can be a healthy, positive experience. GHSC-PSM does extraordinary work to assist countries in strengthening the systems required to introduce new commodities, such as tranexamic acid–a blood-clotting drug that has been available for many years but only considered by the global community for saving women's lives during childbirth after it gained attention for use with trauma patients after vehicle crashes–or improve the uptake of underutilized commodities, such as misoprostol to end preventable maternal deaths.

I commend all of our brilliant GHSC-PSM teammates worldwide for their daily efforts in making this world a healthier, happier place for us all. I am extremely proud of the work that we do to give women around the world greater control over their health, bodies, and lives.

Do you have a few minutes? Listen to our PSM Podcast about temperature monitoring for oxytocin and the impact it has for women in Ghana.

Rebecca Bronheim is the Director of GHSC-PSM's Maternal and Child Health Task Order.