However, commodities can only be effective if they are quality-assured and provided as part of a package of MNH interventions within a functioning health system, strengthening the capacity of health workers.
Building on the work of the UN Commission on Life-Saving Commodities, an Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere working group is supporting countries in scaling up life-saving commodities to improve maternal and newborn health and wellbeing and reduce stillbirths. The working group provides coordination and technical assistance to access the quality-assured commodities.
©UNFPA.
Gomezgani Mapala measures the pressure of Jane, who delivered a baby recently, at Mzenga Health Centre, Nkhata Bay, Malawi in October 2021.
| Commodity | Presentation | Indication |
|---|---|---|
| Elemental Iron & Folic Acid | Tablets or capsules | Anaemia prevention and treatment i |
| Oxytocin | Ampoules | PPH prevention and treatment |
| HS-Carbetocin | Ampoules | PPH prevention ii |
| Ergometrin | Ampoules | PPH prevention and treatment iii |
| Misoprostol | Tablets | PPH prevention and treatment / Abortion care iv |
| Tranexamic acid | Ampoules | PPH treatment |
| Uterine Balloon Tamponade (UBT) | Devices | PPH management |
| Non-pneumatic anti-shock garment (NASG) | Devices | PPH management |
| Calibrated drapes | Devices | PPH prevention and management |
Footnotes:
i. If oxytocin not available or cold chain not assured.
ii. To be used as an alternative when oxytocin is unavailable.
iii. Ergometrin used when oxytocin is contraindicated.
iv. Misoprostol can be distributed antenatally in areas lacking skilled personnel.
| Commodity | Presentation | Indication |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium | Tablets | PE prevention i |
| Aspirin | Tablets | PE prevention ii |
| Labetalol | Tablets & ampoules | Management of HT iii |
| Methyldopa | Tablets | Management of HT |
| Nifedipine | Tablets | Management of HT / Management of preterm labour iv |
| Hydralazine | Ampoules | Management of HT |
| Magnesium Sulphate | Ampoules | PE-E prevention and treatment / management of preterm labour for neuroprotection v |
Footnotes:
i. For women with low dietary calcium intake.
ii. In women at moderate or high risk of preeclampsia.
iii. Suitable for emergency hypertension control.
iv. Used in case of preterm labor to manage hypertension.
v. For women at imminent risk of preterm birth before 32 weeks of gestation.
| Commodity | Presentation | Indication |
|---|---|---|
| Oral Antibiotics | Tablets | Treatment of ASB / completion of initial parenteral treatment i |
| Parenteral Antibiotics | Ampoules | Prophylaxis at C-Section, perineal tears, instrumental delivery ii |
| Aqueous chlorhexidine or povidone iodine | Solution | Vaginal preparation for C-Section |
| Alcohol-based chlorhexidine | Solution | Skin preparation for C-Section |
Footnotes:
i. According to local prevalence. Suggested antibiotics: Nitrofurantoin, ampicillin, first-generation cephalosporins.
ii. Use as per local antibiotic resistance patterns for surgical prophylaxis.
| Commodity | Presentation | Indication |
|---|---|---|
| Tetanus toxoid vaccine | Ampoules / vials | Immunizations i |
| Inactivated influenza vaccine | Ampoules / vials | Immunizations ii |
| Rubella vaccine | Ampoules / vials | Immunizations iii |
| Dexamethasone or betamethasone | Ampoules | Antenatal corticosteroid therapy |
Footnotes:
i. Recommended for neonatal tetanus prevention.
ii. Recommended in cases of maternal flu exposure to reduce neonatal mortality risks.
iii. Rubella vaccination to prevent congenital infections and neonatal complications.
| Commodity | Presentation | Indication |
|---|---|---|
| Oral Antibiotic: Amoxicillin | Dispersible tablets, Oral syrup | Neonatal sepsis i |
| Parenteral Antibiotics: Ampicillin and Gentamicin, procaine penicillin | Ampoule | Neonatal sepsis ii |
Footnotes:
i. Amoxicillin recommended based on local prevalence and resistance patterns.
ii. Combination therapy suggested to cover broad bacterial spectrum in sepsis cases.
| Commodity | Presentation | Indication |
|---|---|---|
| Self-inflating bag with appropriate mask (size 0 and 1) | Device | Newborn Resuscitation i |
| Pulse oximeter | Device | Oxygen saturation monitoring ii |
| Oxygen source (cylinder or concentrator) | ||
| Oxygen source (cylinder or concentrator) | Device | Oxygen administration iii |
| Thermometer | Device | Routine care – thermal care |
| Digital weighing scale | Device | Routine care – Weight monitoring |
| Neonatal stethoscope | Device | Routine care |
| Respiration Counter | Device | Routine care – Respiratory rate measurement |
| Vitamin K | Ampoule | Routine care iv |
Footnotes:
i. Essential for neonatal resuscitation in settings without advanced respiratory support.
ii. Necessary for monitoring oxygen saturation in premature and at-risk infants.
iii. Recommended in facilities without continuous oxygen supply for emergency cases.
iv. Vitamin K to prevent hemorrhagic disease in newborns.
| Commodity | Presentation | Indication |
|---|---|---|
| Dual HIV/Syphilis RDTs | Test kits | HIV & syphilis screening i |
| Zidovudine and Niverapine | Syrup | HIV exposure prophylaxis ii |
| Nucleic Acid Test (NAT) for HIV | Device | Early infant diagnosis for HIV iii |
Footnotes:
i. Recommended as part of routine antenatal care in high-risk regions.
ii. Prophylaxis for infants born to HIV-positive mothers to reduce transmission risk.
iii. Early testing to enable prompt initiation of antiretroviral therapy for exposed infants.
This is your chance to contribute to the Lancet Commission for Evidence-based Implementation.
Take this short survey by 27 June.
Wednesday 18 (online), with two webinars to accomodate different time zones.
The theme for World Patient Safety Day 2025 is ‘Safe care for every newborn and every child.
The 2025 edition of the State of the world’s nursing provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date analysis of the nursing workforce. The report features new indicators on critical areas for nursing, such as education capacity, advanced practice nursing and remuneration, policy priorities and a compilation of data from each WHO region.
Country profiles reflect each country’s national data and are available for download from the WHO National Health Workforce Accounts data portal.
Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere and Child Survival Action joint messages on the impact of ODA cuts on maternal, newborn and child health. Prepared for the 78th World Health Assembly, in May 2025.
Investing in midwives is a cost-effective and sustainable strategy to improve maternal and newborn health and well-being and reduce mortality. There is ample evidence to show that care provided by midwives is women centric, significantly advances maternal and newborn health outcomes, strengthens health systems, and helps build future healthier generations.
The Midwifery Accelerator: Expanding Quality Care for Women and Newborns —developed in consultation with governments, global experts, UN agencies, civil society, and providers—calls on governments, funders and other stakeholders to invest in midwifery care to save and transform the lives of women and their newborns around the world.
Download the Midwifery Accelerator
See also:
Photo © 2020 WHO / Tatiana Almeida. Midwives in Hope Field Hospital, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, in September 2020.
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Photo © 2020 WHO / Tatiana Almeida
Midwives during WHO Head of Sub-Office Dr Kai von Harbou visit to Hope Field Hospital
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