Press Features

Practical and Proven Strategies

From individuals to families and communities, from NGOs to international organizations, from national to local governments-everyone is responsible for making a difference in the fight to decrease the number of deaths in Latin America and the Caribbean. Everyone has a crucial role to play.

Infants under 5 months old who are not breastfed are 5 to 7 times more likely to die from diarrhea and pneumonia than infants who are exclusively breastfed. (The Lancet)

We know that specific health interventions can reduce complications of pregnancy, childbirth, and the period afterward for mothers and newborns. Many are simple and cost-effective. Interventions like skilled attendance at birth, essential obstetric care, and Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) can make the difference between life and death.

15 percent of all birthing women experience a life-threatening complication.

Skilled Attendance at Birth.
Professional delivery care is an essential key to reducing maternal and newborn illness and death. In countries that have lowered maternal mortality to less than 100 per 100,000 live births, the majority of babies are delivered by skilled birth attendants. But in too many nations, mothers struggle to give birth alone, or with unskilled help.

We must make certain that expectant mothers know where, how and when to seek medical care for themselves and for their children. Since we know that families will only use services that treat them with respect, respond to their needs, and deliver acceptable quality, we have to train health workers in not only the science but also the technique of delivering services. Without this dual approach, our efforts will not succeed.

With an average coverage of 79 percent, the challenge for Latin America and the Caribbean is to increase the access of underserved populations, decrease disparities between countries, and improve the effectiveness of skilled attendance at birth.

Essential Obstetric Care
All mothers must have access to basic and comprehensive health-care facilities before, during and after delivery. This means the availability of local birthing centers with skilled attendants, necessary supplies, and emergency transportation systems in all communities. Because many women suffer complications during childbirth, high-quality emergency obstetric care-and simple referrals to that care-is vital.

Ill health is one of the principal reasons why households become poor and remain poor. (World Bank)

Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI)
IMCI is a proven, practical strategy that coordinates and manages the efforts of health workers, families, governments, NGOs, volunteers and community groups, empowering them to work together in combating the most common causes of childhood deaths and disease. IMCI's low-cost, practical interventions strengthen health systems and improve the skills of health personnel. Promoting proven Key Family Practices for the growth and healthy development of children, IMCI teaches mothers and fathers about simple hygiene and immunization, when to seek medical care, and how to give their children proper nutrition. Over the past decade, IMCI has saved hundreds of thousands of lives. The challenge is to expand its scope to reach more families in need.

While there has been an important reduction in the mortality rate for children under 5 years old, the under-1 mortality rate has remained practically unchanged.