The Federal Ministry of Health in Nigeria has launched six policy documents aimed at reducing maternal and child mortality. This initiative was commemorated during the Safe Motherhood Day in Abuja. The launched documents include a Safe Motherhood Strategy, guidelines for managing postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, essential gynecological skills manuals, a quality of care strategy for reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health (RMNCAEH), and national training manuals for managing obstetric fistula.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, emphasized the government's commitment to building a resilient health system capable of preventing emergencies. The Safe Motherhood Strategy (2024-2028) provides a framework for coordinated interventions to protect mothers' lives and includes national quantification of maternal health commodities. Guidelines for PPH management aim to standardize lifesaving practices, while pre-eclampsia and eclampsia guidelines focus on timely detection and management of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy.

Pate urged stakeholders, including governors, traditional rulers, healthcare workers, and community leaders, to collaborate in ensuring safe motherhood across Nigeria. He stressed the importance of preventing maternal deaths and ensuring safe childbirth. Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Daju Kachollom, highlighted the prioritization of maternal and newborn health in the national health agenda, as demonstrated by the ministry's policies, partnerships, and interventions.

In Indonesia, UNICEF is supporting the Maluku provincial and district governments to improve the implementation of equitable quality maternal, newborn, and child health services. The initiative focuses on enhancing local government capacity in newborn care and reducing child mortality, including improving access to quality newborn care and preventing childhood illnesses. The direct beneficiaries include health personnel, pregnant women, babies, children, and maternal and child health stakeholders at various levels.

Expected results include improved quality newborn care, enhanced capacity for maternal perinatal death surveillance and response (MPDSR) implementation, and improved capacity to synchronize and analyze Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) data to reduce childhood pneumonia and diarrhea. Key activities include capacity building on Mother and Child Health Book, joint field visits, socialization and training on notification systems for pregnant women, and regular coordination meetings for provincial IMCI working groups. The project considers factors such as clarity of activities, cost-effectiveness, UN experience, innovative approach, local experience, project management, realistic timelines, and sector expertise in its selection criteria.