Background      

Despite making significant progress, the health situation of mothers and children in the region is still marked by a high mortality rates, hence the inability of the countries to achieve MDGs 4 & 5. This is why MNCH continues to be a major priority for the region. Likewise the health situation of adolescents, young and old people is not sufficiently covered in national health and development programmes.

The major causes of death among children under five are pneumonia, intrapartum complications, diarrhoea and malaria. About half of these deaths are associated with malnutrition. The main direct causes of maternal deaths are postpartum haemorrage, pregnancy-induced hypertension, puerperal sepsis, unsafe abortions, embolism and obstructed labour. On the whole, the root causes of maternal and child deaths are weaknesses of the health systems and the lack of access to timely and quality health care.

Problem Statement       

High maternal, neonatal, and infant mortality and the low consideration of the health of the youth, adolescents and the elderly in health programmes impact negatively on the socio-economic development of the region.

Programme Objective  

Promote maternal, neonatal, infant, adolescent, youth and older people’s health within the ECOWAS region

Programme Outcomes  

Maternal, neonatal, infant, and adolescent, youth and older people’s health improved within the ECOWAS region

Programme Components 

• Maternal and neonatal health
• Infant health
• Adolescent and youth health
• Older people’s health

Specific Objectives 

• Contribute to the reduction of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality
• Contribute to the reduction of infanto-juvenile morbidity and mortality
• Promote adolescent and youth health
• Promote older people’s health

Major Interventions  

• Promotion of essential maternal care 
• Promotion of essential neonatal care
• Promotion of the care of the elderly
• Strengthening of the Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI)
• Support to Vaccination
• Development of a manual for youth and adolescent health
• Supporting the prevention of unwanted pregnancy and STIs/HIV

Intermediate Outcomes   

• Essential maternal and neonatal care promoted
• Elderly care promoted
• IMCI coverage increased 
• Vaccination systems of countries strengthened
• Manual for youth and adolescent health adopted and in use by countries