Statement to Stakeholders from Jill Sheffield, President of Women
This week marks an important step in our efforts to reduce maternal mortality worldwide. Misoprostol, a low-cost and life-saving drug, has just been added to the WHO Model Lists of Essential Medicines (EML) for the prevention of postpartum hemorrhage. This is vital because postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is the leading cause of maternal mortality, accounting for nearly one quarter of all maternal deaths worldwide, reaching as high as 60% in some countries.
Now that misoprostol is recognized as an essential medicine, we must take the next step and help translate this development into increased awareness, approval, and access in every country with a high rate of maternal death. The small white pill is inexpensive, stable even in warmer climates, and is easy-to-use, making it ideal for community-level delivery where oxytocin is not available or cannot be safely used. Simply put, this pill can save lives by preventing women from bleeding to death during and after delivery.
Throughout South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, health experts are pioneering efforts to make misoprostol more available in low-resource communities by building capacity among skilled health workers and traditional birth attendants. Women Deliver is prepared to do its part -- we are prepared to raise awareness and help ensure that misoprostol is available to women who need it most.
The WHO Model Lists of Essential Medicines (EML) provide guidance to national leaders and Ministries of Health of the medicines prioritized for the health of populations and of the basic supplies for health systems. At present, only a handful of countries have approved misoprostol for the prevention and treatment of PPH, and few have included misoprostol on their own national medicines lists. Since developing countries often look to the WHO when setting their national health policies, the announcement marks a tremendous call to action in placing misoprostol and the issue of postpartum hemorrhage on the global agenda.
The announcement of misoprostol’s inclusion on the EML for PPH follows another triumph in women’s health under Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan’s leadership. In March, the WHO released its first list of priority medicines for mothers and children, a landmark document that will also encourage greater commitment to the health of women and girls. Women Deliver applauds all these developments.
While the WHO’s decision is an important step forward, we realize that there is much more to be done. Women Deliver looks forward to working with the WHO and leaders like you in the global health community to ensure that women everywhere have access to misoprostol, without delay.
Best regards,
Jill Sheffield
President, Women Deliver
Women Deliver Statement on Misoprostol and the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines
May 17th, 2011
Entry Comments
Its so exciting to know that some women can be helped with (PPH). As a women i will take part in speaking out. Let people in my country know that, the is a better solution in (PPH) and that by taking Misoprostol.
This is great news. PPH is still the major cause of Maternal Deaths here. Most births are at home and attended by unskilled TBAs. The beauty about Liberia is that the war against MM is spearheaded by none other than the Head of state! She always reminds us that no woman should die when giving life. I believe Misoprostol will be soon available here for the same use.
We must be cautious not to over rely on drugs in childbirth including Misoprostol.Misoprostol is still a powerful drug with potential to do harm if not used correctly. It is one peice of the solution to maternal death but care must be taken to ensure it s availablity does not slow or halt the really inportant work to improve womens access to contraception, to her status as a womam,access to housing,nutrition and health care and to her right to have a skilled midwife attend her at birth.