Improve the Health of Mothers and Newborns in Mali through Integrated Approaches

In Mali, maternal and neonatal mortality remains high, with 325 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births and 33 neonatal deaths per 1,000 live births, compared to 368 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births and 34 neonatal deaths per 1,000 live births five years earlier. The neonatal deaths, the majority of which occur in the first week of life, represent a third of the infant mortality in Mali, premature and low birth weight newborns being the most vulnerable. Maternal and newborn deaths are the more frequent during the first days of life, of which 25 to 45% of deaths occur within the first 24 hours. Postpartum hemorrhage is a major cause of maternal mortality. The main causes of neonatal death in Mali are: neonatal asphyxia (28%), prematurity (30%), and sepsis/tetanus (21%). These causes reflect the weaknesses in the use of maternal and newborn health (MNH) services that are linked to the three delays in accessing and providing obstetric care and quality neonates ).