The Foundation’s population and reproductive health grantmaking seeks to reduce maternal death and illness and to advance the sexual and reproductive health and rights of young people, with a special focus on Mexico, Nigeria and India, where the Foundation has offices.
MacArthur is investing $11 million to significantly reduce maternal deaths due to postpartum hemorrhage in India and Nigeria. The centerpiece of this new effort is distribution of the anti-shock garment, a low-cost neoprene suit that helps stabilize women who are bleeding during childbirth. Read more
U.S. philanthropy is a valuable partner to governments and the United Nations agencies, helping to tackle global health problems, such as reducing maternal mortality. Read more
This newsletter seeks to illustrate how MacArthur’s current grantmaking strategies in population & reproductive health take advantage of the best of research and practice to develop approaches and policies that contribute to improving the health and well-being of the world's population. Read more
President Felipe Calderon of Mexico recently announced a new strategy to reduce maternal mortality based largely on a proposal written by the National Safe Motherhood Committee, a longtime MacArthur grantee. Under the strategy, Mexico’s three main public health providers will provide emergency obstetric care to all pregnant women free of charge. Previously, women could be rejected by one provider and referred to another, causing delays in receiving maternal health care. The Safe Motherhood Committee will monitor implementation of the measure to ensure compliance among the providers, the Mexican Social Security Institute, the Ministry of Health, and the State Workers Social Security Institute. The strategy will be launched in nine states, including the Foundation’s priority states of Chiapas, Guerrero, and Oaxaca. Calderon made the announcement in conjunction with International Women’s Health Day on May 28.