HOW TO DECREASE MATERNAL MORTALITY AND ACHIEVE SAFE MOTHERHOOD IN EGYPT?

The maternal mortality rate (MMR) in Egypt is much higher than that in develop ed count ries. Decreasing the MMR is an important goal which President Mubarak clearly stressed upon in a presidential declaration which urges providing the maximum possible maternal care durin g pregnancy and delivery with the aim of decreasing maternal mortality as a result of childbirth.This pap er discusses the variable and complex causes of maternal mortality in Egypt that includes 1-Reprodu ctive risk factors. 2-Obstetric compli cations. 3-Health service factors. 4-Socio economic factors. The paper also, highlights important steps to redue e the current MMR in Egypt that includes l s Preventi ve measures. 2-improvement of emergency cares for direct causes of maternal mortality. 3-improvement of existing health care infrastru ctures. 4-improvement ofcommunication s and villag e transport. 5-Mass media and community health education. 6-improvement ofchild sun/ivai programs.