Abstract

PIP: More than 66% of the population in the developing world consists of mothers and children. 250,000 children die each week, or approximately 15 million each year. 1400 women die daily during childbirth. Most child mortality is, however, preventable. Preventive measures and the promotion of safe motherhood could be achieved through actions which are universally affordable and based upon already existing knowledge. Top-level government commitment, physicians to provide motivation and leadership for child survival and safe motherhood programs, and adequate manpower at the grassroots level are required to get the job done. Unfortunately, doctors have not been trained in integrated maternal and child health, and are currently ill-equipped to launch an era of improved child survival and maternal health in India. Major change is needed in the medical curriculum, especially with regard to pediatrics, obstetrics, and social medicine, if safe motherhood and child survival are to become realities. Integrated, problem-based, community-oriented training in maternal and child health care is called for.