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Maternal and Child Survival : Findings from Five Countries Experience in Addressing Maternal and Child Health ChallengesConsiderable progress has been made towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) since 1990. Although advances in improving MDG 4 and MDG 5a (reducing child and maternal mortality, respectively) have been made, progress is some countries have been insufficient. While some countries have made substantial gains, others have not. This paper is part of a larger study that aims to address this gap in knowledge. The paper discusses the findings from qualitative case studies of five countries that are either on track to meet MDGs 4 and 5a by 2015 or have made significant progress to this end (Bolivia, China, Egypt, Malawi and Nepal). Although they have different socio-economic characteristics, all have made significant advancements due to a strong commitment to improving maternal and child health. To do this, strong political commitment, through policies backed by financial and programmatic support, was critical. In addition, focusing on the most vulnerable populations helped increase access to and use of services. Empowering women and families through education, employment, and poverty reduction programs have led to better health outcomes. These countries still face challenges, however, in terms of the evolving health system, and changes at the economic, social and political levels. Future qualitative and quantitative analyses on the returns of health investments, the political context and institutional arrangements at the country level could help deepen the understanding of the ways in which various countries, with their unique conditions, can improve MCH.
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Better Reproductive Health for Poor Women in South AsiaThe overall purpose of this review is to
 bring attention to the opportunities that five countries in
 the region - Bangladesh, India, Nepal Pakistan and Sri Lanka
 have to strengthen and expand interventions to improve the
 reproductive health of poor women. The report's
 specific objectives are: 1) to provide an accurate picture
 of the current status of women's reproductive health
 and describe the use of reproductive health services and
 barriers to use; 2) to identify individual and household
 characteristics that affect reproductive health status and
 use of services; 3) to develop a simple and effective
 approach to decentralized health planning that can be used
 widely in each of the five countries to improve health
 service delivery and outcomes locally; and 4) to strengthen
 the case for investing in poor women's reproductive
 health by demonstrating the links between poverty,
 inequality and reproductive health. The review puts forth
 the following recommendations for reforms for reproductive
 health: to increase the supply of reproductive health
 services to poor women and adolescents by specifically
 targeting the poorest areas and households; to enhance
 demand among the poor for key services using BCC and
 demand-side financing; to integrate reproductive health
 services through a client-centered approach and strengthen
 weak services using specific relevant approaches; and to
 improve the reach, quality and status of women providers by
 better training, deployment and support are the
 'frontline' improvements required for better
 reproductive health among poor women in South Asia.
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Federal Republic of Nigeria Early Childhood Development : SABER Country Report 2013This report presents an analysis of
 the Early Childhood Development (ECD) programs and policies
 that affect young children in Nigeria and recommendations to
 move forward. This report is part of a series of reports
 prepared by the World Bank using the SABER-ECD framework and
 includes analysis of early learning, health, nutrition and
 social and child protection policies and interventions in
 Nigeria, along with regional and international comparisons.
 Data on ECD policies and programs were collected through the
 SABER-ECD exercise in Bauchi, Ekiti, Kwara, and Oyo states.
 The SABER-ECD initiative is designed to enable ECD policy
 makers and development partners to identify opportunities
 for further development of effective ECD systems. This
 Country Report presents a framework to compare Nigeria s ECD
 system with other countries in goals and corresponding nine
 policy levers are examined in detail and some policy options
 are identified to strengthen ECD services that are offered.
 Table 15 summarizes the key policy options identified to
 inform policy dialogue and improve the provision of
 essential ECD services in Nigeria to ensure that all young
 children have a strong start in life and the opportunity to
 reach their full potential.