Background: Maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide is a major public health problem with unacceptable effects on families and nations. The maternal mortality ratio for sub-Saharan Africa is estimated at almost 600 per 100,000 live births, which is twice that of South Asia, four times that of Latin America and about 50 times that of industrialized countries. In 2006, the maternal mortality ratio of Uganda was 435 deaths per 100,000 live births. To meet MDG 5, Uganda's maternal mortality ratio would need to fall to 131 deaths per 100,000 by 2015.Rapid Response Question: What health system strategies have low and middle income countries used to improve their maternal outcomes?Findings: Strategies that other countries have used to lower maternal mortality include: policies promoting facility based deliveries; skilled birth attendants; quality, availability and accessibility of essential and Emergency Obstetric Care services (EOC) for the rural and poor populations.Conclusion: Several strategies that other countries have employed to lower maternal mortality and morbidity are presented in this paper. The evidence acts as guidance as strategies are quite context sensitive and may be used on their own or as a part of an intervention package involving several strategies.
