Set up of an integrated system of maternal and child care (Development Phase)

The Republic of Macedonia has a perinatal mortality rate (mortality during delivery) of 15.3 per 1,000 births in 2008 while the average in the European Union is approximately 6 per 1,000 births. The infant mortality rate currently is 11.29 per 1,000 live births which is approximately three times higher than the EU average. This dismal situation can be attributed to many factors but inadequate quality of antenatal (care during pregnancy) perinatal and postnatal care (care for infants) are major contributing factors. The proportion of births attended by a skilled attendant is low in particular amongst the Roma women (70 percent) and women with no education (78 percent). The equipment is often in a bad condition and outdated. In addition to the number of community nurses is unequally distributed throughout the country and the patronage nurses often lack skills and technical means to provide sufficient outreach to the communities and deliver quality and comprehensive health care. The objective of the project is to reduce perinatal mortality infant mortality and maternal mortality rates as well as reducing disabilities as a result of deficiencies during pregnancy delivery and infant care. In addition lower health care costs is one of the objectives by shifting care from tertiary to lower levels of care.