The interventions aim to accelerate the reduction of maternal mortality and directly benefit thousands of women in Honduras and Peru, with broader indirect benefits for more than half a million women of childbearing age in both countries.
Washington DC, September 19, 2024 (PAHO) – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and Merck & Co. Inc., known as Merck & Co. Inc., in the United States and Canada, today launched an alliance to improve health care and maternal health outcomes for women and mothers in the Americas, one year after signing a letter of intent on a potential collaboration.
The project, “Response to Obstetric Emergencies and Unwanted Pregnancies 2024-2027,” addresses the urgent need to reduce preventable maternal mortality in the Americas, particularly in Honduras and Peru. Despite previous progress in reducing maternal mortality rates (MMRs), recent setbacks, including those caused by the pandemic, have reversed many advances. PAHO will lead this work, supported by a $1 million grant from MSD through its MSD for Mothers initiative.
“There are multiple factors that influence maternal mortality, including socioeconomic, cultural, educational and environmental factors,” said Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, Director of PAHO. “I am confident that this project will contribute to improving maternal health care and outcomes for women and mothers in the Americas,” he added.
Maternal health remains one of the greatest public health challenges in the Americas. Around 8,400 women die each year in Latin America and the Caribbean from complications related to pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. Most of these deaths are preventable. In 2020, 88 maternal deaths were recorded per 100,000 live births, below the regional target of 30 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030.
“We are honored to participate in this unprecedented partnership with PAHO to help strengthen health systems and address the critical health needs of women across Latin America,” said Dr. Allison Goldberg, President of the MSD Foundation and Executive Director of Social Business Innovation at MSD. “When we expand access to safe, high-quality care around pregnancy and childbirth, we lay the foundation for women to have a healthy future and for their children, families and communities to thrive for generations to come.”
The project will contribute to the country’s efforts to achieve the SDG target related to reducing maternal mortality by focusing on two key areas: (1) preventing and reducing delays in the recognition of obstetric emergencies, ensuring timely referral and providing appropriate treatment; and (2) reducing unwanted pregnancies and their health consequences. This work will involve both formal health services and the community, and has the potential to benefit more than 5,500 women in Honduras and more than 15,000 women in Peru, with broader indirect benefits for more than half a million women of childbearing age in both countries. Nearly 500 health professionals will also be trained to expand access to equitable and high-quality maternal health care.
About PAHO
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) works with the countries of the Americas to improve the health and quality of life of their people. Founded in 1902, it is the oldest international public health organization in the world. PAHO acts as the Regional Office of the World Health Organization for the Americas and is the specialized health agency of the Inter-American System.
About MSD for Mothers
MSD for Mothers is a global initiative of MSD to help create a world where no woman has to die giving birth. By applying the scientific and business resources of MSD, MSD for Mothers works with grantees and partners to improve the health and well-being of women during pregnancy, childbirth and beyond. MSD for Mothers is an initiative of MSD, known as Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, in the United States and Canada. For more information visit this link.
