Calling All Technical Experts in Maternal Newborn Health Measurement: Two Ways to Get Involved

 Ending Preventable Maternal Mortality (EPMM) Public Comment Period: August 22 – September 2, 2016

The Maternal Health Task Force (MHTF) is hosting a request for public comments on a draft set of indicators that will contribute to a comprehensive monitoring framework designed to measure global progress towards ending preventable maternal mortality (EPMM). The EPMM Phase II monitoring framework has been developed through an iterative process to identify, evaluate and prioritize indicators on key social, political and economic determinants of maternal health and survival highlighted in the 2015 report, “Strategies toward ending preventable maternal mortality (EPMM)” (EPMM Strategies).

This process has included an extensive indicator mapping exercise and multiple rounds of expert discussion and review. Now, a request for public comments asks stakeholders with knowledge of and interest in maternal health measurement to review the outcomes of this process and weigh in on the importance of the proposed indicators in order to help consolidate consensus on a core set of EPMM Phase II indicators that will be finalized at a consensus meeting in late September 2016.

Access the survey here. Submissions will be accepted from August 22, 2016 until September 2, 2016.

On behalf of the EPMM Working Group, the MHTF has been partnering with leaders in global health to develop a comprehensive monitoring framework addressing both the proximal and distal causes of maternal health and survival worldwide. Guided by the priority recommendations in the EPMM Strategies report, this work has been conducted in two phases. Phase I, which was completed in October 2015, identified a core set of proximal maternal health indicators for global monitoring and reporting by all countries. Along with indicators from the Every Newborn Action Plan, those indicators fed into the development of the Global Strategy Indicator and Monitoring Framework. Phase II, which is the subject of this request for public comment, is focused on indicators for the distal (i.e. social, political and economic) determinants of maternal health and survival. Read more about the development of the EPMM monitoring framework and how it contributes to other global monitoring frameworks such as the SDGs and the Global Strategy.

Call for Nominations: Mother and Newborn Information Tracking Outcomes and Results (MONITOR) Technical Advisory Group

The World Health Organization (WHO) is seeking nominations for the Mother and Newborn Information for Tracking Outcomes and Results (MONITOR) technical advisory group, which seeks to convene independent experts with extensive experience in measurement, monitoring and evaluation in the field of maternal and newborn health. The group will comprise up to 12 individuals, taking account of geographical and gender balance and technical expertise, who will meet at least once per year to develop guidance, norms and systems for monitoring maternal and newborn health.

Please see the terms of reference and call for nominations for more details. The closing date for nominations is September 12, 2016.

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Learn more about EPMM and its connection to the SDG agenda on the MHTF blog.