Abstract

PIP: Maternal mortality and morbidity are community diseases which need to be addressed mainly at the community level. As was noted in the 1988 World Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, obstetricians and gynecologists have a social responsibility to promote women's health, with the 1st step being prevention of mortality and morbidity. 2 important facets of prevention are good family planning education and services to prevent high-risk pregnancies and adequate obstetric care. The General Assembly of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, which preceded the Congress, urged governments to ensure adequate nutrition, education and health care for girls; support to family planning within the context of maternal and child health; and expansion of the coverage and improvement of the quality of maternity services. The General Assembly requested its member associations: 1) to advocate and support promotion of women's health and social status and to support governments in establishing national committees involving all relevant sectors of society; 2) to support governments in their efforts to rationalize the allocation of resources to provide essential care for every woman; 3) to provide governments with the necessary technical support in their efforts to expand the availability of essential elements of obstetric care and the necessary technologies associated with them; 4) to promote and support the involvement of obstetricians in action-oriented research aimed at developing and testing innovative approaches to the delivery of maternity care services, including their cost effectiveness; and 5) to act as the focal point for rallying other professional associations and non-governmental organizations, and to collaborate with women's groups for the cause of safe motherhood and improving the health of women in general.