The goal of the National Safe Motherhood Program is to reduce maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality and to improve the maternal and neonatal health through preventive and promotive activities as well as by addressing avoidable factors that cause death during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum period. Evidences suggest that three delays are important factors behind the maternal and new born morbidity and mortality outcome in Nepal’s context:
1. Delay in seeking care,
2. Delay in reaching care, and
3. Delay in receiving care.
To reduce the risks during pregnancy and childbirth and address factors associated with mortality and morbidity three major strategies have been adopted in Nepal:
1. Promoting birth preparedness and complication readiness including awareness raising and improving the availability of funds, transport and blood supplies.
2. Aama Suraksha Program to promote antenatal checkups and institutional delivery
3. Expansion of 24-hour emergency obstetric care services (basic and comprehensive) at selected public health facilities in every district.