Corporate Buzz: Merck Joins Partners in ‘Saving Mothers, Giving Life’

By Smita Gaith, Women Deliver

Merck for Mothers, an initiative of the pharmaceutical company Merck (known as MSD in some countries), will be joining forces with the United States Government, the Government of Norway, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the Every Mother Counts campaign to target Millennium Development Goal 5 (MDG 5) – to reduce maternal mortality.

According to the United Nations MDG Report 2011, most maternal deaths occur in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. In 2008, maternal mortality in these regions was as great as 640 per 100,000 and 280 per 100,000 live births, respectively. This partnership, called Saving Mothers, Giving Life, will target selected regions of Africa, such as Uganda and Zambia, which have some of the highest maternal mortality rates in the continent. Merck for Mothers’ contribution is valued at over $50 million, and will continue for the next five years. The program is planned to launch formally later this year.

The collaboration calls for close cooperation with country governments, and should result in health systems strengthening, and more effective and affordable interventions targeting women in stages of pregnancy when women are at highest risk for complications – labor, deliver, and 24 hours post-partum. Another significant component of the program is the evaluation process, which should make scaling-up the efforts far more successful globally.

Recognizing the importance of this partnership and reducing maternal mortality, Dr. Naveen Rao, Lead for Merck for Mothers said "Maternal mortality is one of society's oldest and most complex health challenges – and one that not only destroys the lives of mothers, but devastates their families and communities. Merck welcomes this innovative partnership opportunity to help end this unacceptable tragedy."

Merck for Mothers was launched in September 2011, with a commitment of $500 million over ten years, towards applying scientific and business expertise to support MDG 5. It approaches its role with 3 pillars: Accelerating Access to Proven Solutions, Product Innovation, and Global Awareness and Advocacy. It was the first company to join the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (PMNCH).

More information about Merck for Mothers is available here.

Flickr photograph via Gates Foundation.