Safe Passages

Abstract

Maternal mortality in Africa remains unacceptably high. The prevailing response to reducing maternal mortality has emphasized “reproductive health” and has failed to clearly focus on those causes responsible for 90 percent of maternal deaths. In contrast, the “Safe Passages” model directs training and resources toward interventions that save the lives of mothers and babies. Within the Safe Passages model, a “premise” and an “equation” offer an ethical and strategic framework for maternal health-care development which respects human life and dignity and prioritizes those interventions most likely to reduce maternal and newborn deaths. The Safe Passages “equation” emphasizes the key components of respect for persons, safe birth, and fertility literacy. Successful training and development programs should work to insure participants and organizations are inspired, educated, equipped, and evaluated.