Countdown to 2015 decade report (2000–2010) with country profiles: Taking stock of maternal, newborn and child survival

This report reviews progress on MDGs 4 and 5 over the period of 2000–2010.  The Countdown to 2015 initiative collects and analyses data from the 68 countries that account for at least 95 per cent of maternal and child deaths. It produces country profiles that present coverage data for a range of key health services, including:

• contraceptive use
• antenatal care
• skilled attendance at delivery
• postnatal care
• child health
• financial investments in maternal, newborn and child health
• equity of access, health systems and policy.

The report finds that many countries are making progress, reducing mortality and increasing coverage of effective health interventions at an accelerating pace. However, many countries are still off track for achieving MDGs 4 and 5 and are not increasing coverage of key health interventions quickly enough. In particular, countries in Sub-Saharan Africa are especially far behind, although a few have shown improvements.

The report concludes that achieving MDGs 4 and 5 is still possible by the deadline year 2015, but only a dramatic acceleration of political commitment and financial investment can make it happen. The report recommends that all countries should:

• identify gaps in coverage and quality of care along the continuum of care for maternal, newborn and child health
• improve the delivery of essential interventions and packages
• identify inequities in coverage
• increase resource allocations for reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health services, ensuring that interventions and programmes are sufficiently funded.