Our Focus
Milestones
© UNICEF/UNI181650/Asselin. In July 2013 in Côte d’Ivoire, a woman cradles her infant at the health centre in the town of Blahou.
Making progress
Several low-and lower-middle-income countries outperformed global averages, reducing newborn and child mortality rates by more than two thirds since 2000, demonstrating that it is feasible to accelerate progress when political will is matched by policy, resources and focused action.
The ten milestones, below, detail what needs to happen, step by step, to meet the coverage targets to improve maternal and newborn health and reduce stillbirths. They are relevant to all contexts, in humanitarian and developmental settings.
© WHO / Faizza Tanggol. 5-month-old baby boy George gets his regular weigh-in at the Galoa Nursing Station by Nurse Winnie Tikoikadavu Kuruduadua (left) while his mother Alowesi (right) looks on
Milestones towards progress
Click on the tiles to learn more about the milestones
1
Policies and Plans
2
Quality of Care
3
Equity
4
Data for action
5
Investment
6
Workforce
7
Response and resillience
8
Commodities
9
Accountability
10
Research, Innovation and Knowledge Exchange
Milestone 1
Policies and plans
Plans and specific policies for improving maternal and newborn survival and health and for preventing stillbirths, are developed and implemented, in line with the WHO guidelines and set targets.
Milestone 2
Quality of Care
The WHO standards for respectful, effective maternal and newborn care, including prevention of stillbirths and small and sick newborn care are adopted and implemented at all levels of the health system, and a learning system is in place to achieve quality of care.
Related resources:
- WHO standards for Quality of Care
- See what the Quality of Care Network achieved in 2026-2024
- See why Maternal and Perinatal Death and Surveillance and Response is a key quality of care intervention to improve maternal and newborn survival.
Milestone 3
Equity
Progress is routinely tracked in addressing disparities in access to maternal and newborn healthcare at national and sub-national level.
Milestone 4
Data for action
Data is routinely tracked, collected and used to track progress in reaching targets for maternal and newborn deaths and stillbirths, and the quality of care and equitable coverage at national and sub-national levels.
Related resources:
- ENAP EPMM Dashboard
- Quality of Care data
Milestone 5
Investment
Sufficient domestic and international resources are allocated to strengthen the health systems and implement plans for improving maternal and neonatal survival and health and for preventing stillbirths.
Milestone 6
Health workforce
Strategies and plans are developed and implemented to increase the number, distribution, mentoring and retention of skilled health personnel for maternal and newborn health and to enhance their competence for respectful maternal and newborn care, prevention of stillbirths and care after death.
Milestone 7
Response and resilience
A preparedness and response plan that prioritizes maternal and newborn survival and health and preventing stillbirths is in place.
Milestone 8
Commodities
Medical commodities and products (equipment, technologies and diagnostics) are procured, distributed and accessed with equity, and maintained, to facilitate the delivery of high-quality, affordable maternal and newborn care.
Milestone 9
Accountability
Accountability mechanisms are in place to improve maternal and newborn health and prevent stillbirths, including coordination of stakeholders, and processes for surveillance and review of maternal deaths (Link to MPDSR page), stillbirths and newborn deaths. Countries are promoting a shift in potentially harmful social norms.
Milestone 10
Research, innovation and knowledge exchange
Countries are generating and using emerging evidence, including knowledge exchange, to improve maternal and newborn health and survival and to end preventable stillbirths.
Explore further and accelerate change
