Background information for question 11

Reproductive, maternal and newborn health programmes need to be evidence-based to ensure the best outcomes for all. Data and information management systems play a critical role in providing health systems managers and governments with the knowledge they need to improve and invest in health services. Ultimately, this information should ensure that reproductive, maternal and newborn health services respond to the needs of the population. This depends on the skills and capacity of health workers at health facilities at every level of the health system as well as of researchers, statisticians and data collectors in national, academic and other stakeholder agencies. There is an urgent need to strengthen this skill base in developing countries and to ensure that high quality research is translated into policy and practice.

DFID has funded a range of research programmes on reproductive, maternal and newborn health, including a new Research Programme Consortium (RPC) to collate evidence and assess the reasons for the high unmet need of family planning and safe abortion services.

Back to question 11