Strategic approach to improving maternal survival in oman.

THIS STUDY OF MATERNAL MORTALITY IN OMAN TRIES TO ANSWER THE QUESTION: Is the Fifth Millennium Development Goal achievable in Oman or not? In Oman, Maternal Mortality Ratio currently stands at 22.9/100,000, a reduction of 38.9% from its 37.5/100,000 in 2002. This figure suggests that much needs to be done to accelerate progress towards the achievement of the Fifth Millennium Development Goal. Characteristics of 135 Omani women who died during pregnancy, labour or puerperium during the period 1990-2005 were studied. Data related to maternal health in Oman were also scrutinized, e.g. age of first marriage, ante-natal, natal and post-natal care, birth spacing, fertility and perinatal mortality. The study calls for accelerated efforts and renewed commitment to maternal health and recommends a framework for national strategic directions to scale up access to essential interventions to reduce maternal mortality in Oman and move closer to the achievement of the Fifth Millennium Development Goal.