UNFPA MHTF 2019-2024

MHTF is a thematic fund aiming at improving maternal and newborn health and well being in countries with high burden of maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity by strengthening of national health systems.  The vision of the third phase of the fund is to support countries to ensuring the health, survival, and rights of every woman, adolescent girl and newborn, by supporting countries to strengthen their health systems for providing equitable and accountable access to quality sexual and reproductive and newborn health care. The fund is set up to provide strategic directions and technical assistance for the development, implementation and monitoring of maternal and newborn health interventions. The fund focuses on four key intervention areas: midwifery, comprehensive SRH in Emergency Obstetric and Newborn care (EmONC) facilities, obstetric fistula and other obstetric morbidities and Maternal (and Perinatal) Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR). MHTF, will contribute to UNFPA's Strategic Plan 2018-2021, in particular on: outcome 1: "Every woman, adolescent and youth everywhere, especially those furthest behind, has utilized integrated sexual and reproductive health services and exercised reproductive rights, free of coercion, discrimination and violence" and outcome 2: "Every adolescent and youth, in particular adolescent girls, is empowered to have access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, in all contexts". Through the following programme specific outcomes; Outcome 1 midwifery: Every woman and adolescent girl can access right based quality sexual and reproductive health information and services delivered by midwives and that are women centered, equitable and accountable. The objective of phase III is to further accelerate the delivery of quality midwifery care. Phase III will also support midwives to address the needs of SRHR of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged women and adolescent girls. Outcome 2 emergency obstetric and newborn care (EmONC): Every woman, adolescent girl and newborn in need of emergency obstetric and newborn care can access a referral maternity facility, staffed with skilled attendants at birth and monitored to deliver quality essential sexual and reproductive healthcare, including EmONC. In phase III there will be emphasis on implementing monitoring and quality improvement process for EmONC and SRH more broadly. Outcome 3 maternal (and perinatal) death surveillance and response (MPDSR): Causes of maternal and perinatal deaths are identified and addressed through MPDSR programmes. The objective of phase III are to improve notification of maternal deaths, increase the number and quality of maternal death reviews, and implement multisectoral responses to address root causes of maternal and perinatal deaths.  Outcome 4 obstetric fistula and other obstetric morbidities: Every woman and adolescent girl can access quality sexual and reproductive health information and services to prevent and, if needed, to treat them from obstetric fistula and other obstetric morbidities. In phase III, MHTF will further strengthening national programmes for ending fistula and other obstetric morbidities. According to UNFPA, WASH is an integral part of quality and availability of services and care for women and girls. It is addressed through the program from different angels through quality assurance work, policies, implementation plans and in facilities. It is also addressed in training programs. However, UNFPA's role is generally to alert UNICEF if the water is not available in the maternity facility that falls under UNFPA support.