Morocco Launches National Platform to Improve Maternal and Newborn Health
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Morocco’s ministry of Health and Social Protection unveiled a new national platform for Maternal Death Surveillance,Audit and Response (SSDMAR) on Thursday in Rabat,a notable step toward bolstering the quality of care for mothers and newborns across the kingdom. the digital tool aims to systematically monitor, analyze, and prevent deaths related to pregnancy, childbirth, and the neonatal period.
The platform is designed to pinpoint the underlying causes of maternal and newborn deaths, identify key risk factors, and formulate targeted interventions to reduce preventable fatalities and enhance overall care standards.This initiative underscores a commitment to modernizing healthcare monitoring and performance evaluation throughout Morocco.
Addressing a Critical Need for Improved Data
According to ministry data, between 2010 and 2018, the maternal mortality rate in Morocco decreased from 112 to 72.6 deaths per 100,000 live births. Together, neonatal mortality rates fell from 21.7 to 13.6 deaths per 1,000 live births. Despite this positive trend, officials emphasize that continued progress in reducing preventable deaths remains a top national priority.
“This digital tool protects the lives of mothers and newborns by analyzing the care pathway, correcting dysfunctions and monitoring the implementation of actions at national and regional level,” a senior official stated during the launch ceremony.The platform’s rollout will be phased, accompanied by complete training for healthcare professionals and a strong emphasis on data protection.
A Coordinated Approach to Maternal and Child Health
The SSDMAR is built upon a robust institutional framework, ensuring seamless coordination between national, regional, and local healthcare levels. This integrated approach aims to strengthen governance,streamline organization,and ensure the continuity of reforms within the maternal and child health sector.
Furthermore, the platform will facilitate the creation of an interactive national map of maternal health indicators and clinical reviews, providing continuous monitoring and enhanced transparency of crucial health data. This will allow for a more nuanced understanding of regional disparities and targeted resource allocation.
Maternal and Child Health: A National Priority
The Minister of Health and Social Protection, Amine Tahraoui, highlighted that Morocco prioritizes maternal and child health as a cornerstone of human development and a vital measure of the health system’s quality and equity. “This initiative marks an importent step in the reform of the national health system,” Tahraoui stressed, “and illustrates the ministry’s commitment to modernizing the monitoring and performance
Substantive News Report:
Why: Morocco launched the Maternal Death Surveillance, Audit and Response (SSDMAR) platform to address ongoing concerns about maternal and newborn mortality rates, despite positive trends in recent years. The platform aims to systematically improve the quality of care and reduce preventable deaths.
who: The initiative was spearheaded by morocco’s Ministry of Health and Social Protection, with Minister amine Tahraoui emphasizing its importance. The platform will involve healthcare professionals at national, regional, and local levels.
What: The SSDMAR platform is a digital tool designed to monitor, analyze, and respond to maternal and newborn deaths. It will identify risk factors, pinpoint causes of death, and facilitate targeted interventions.It will also create a national map of maternal health indicators.
How did it end?: The platform’s rollout will be phased, beginning with comprehensive training for healthcare professionals. The Ministry of Health views this as a
