Maternal mortality is when a woman dies during pregnancy, delivery, or immediately after delivery of her baby and up to 42 days after. Neonatal mortality is when a baby dies at any time between birth until it is 28 days old. Deaths of mothers and babies can be prevented. Prevention begins at home. When planning the pregnancy, planning for a safe place to deliver the baby, and with the best person to support the birth of the baby. Families, husbands, and mothers themselves should make sure the woman’s health and nutrition is good. When the baby is born it should happen in a well equipped health centre with a trained midwife or doctor. Community preparedness, and support, for pregnancy is important for success. Maternal or neonatal deaths can also be prevented by having well equipped health centres and well trained and competent health staff to manage any problems that may arise.

As an AusAID project, the Australia Indonesia Partnership for Maternal and Neonatal Health (AIPMNH) is working with the governments in 9 districts in NTT to help reduce maternal and neonatal mortality. The Partnership includes BAPPEDA (Regional Development Planning Board), the Health Department, Women’s Empowerment, Community Empowerment, and the Family Planning Bureau.

Mr. Johm McComb and his team at AIPMNH work with partners at community level through Desa Siaga, Posyandu, PNPM, and other local organziations to mobilize community and family care for women and new born babies.  The AIPMNH also works with health service providers in health centres and hospitals to make sure staff are well trained and have the right equipment and supplies.