Review of maternal and child health policies: Successes, challenges and gaps

Background: Maternal and child health (MCH) remains a significant public health issue, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where the burden of maternal and child mortality is highest. Over the past three decades, global policy frameworks ranging from the Safe Motherhood Initiative (1987) to the Sustainable Development Goals (2015) have evolved to strengthen MCH outcomes. However, significant implementation challenges persist, limiting progress in many regions. This review aims to assess the global landscape of maternal and child health policies, highlight key successes, identify persistent gaps, and provide strategic insights to inform future policy formulation and implementation.

Methods: We conducted a narrative review to explore the global landscape of maternal and child health policies. Electronic databases searched included PubMed, The Lancet, ScienceDirect, Global Health, Google Scholar, and Scopus. Search terms combined keywords related to maternal health, child health, and newborn health with policy-related terms using Boolean operators to enhance search sensitivity. Only English-language studies were included, with no restrictions on publication date. Following a systematic process of title screening, abstract review, and full-text evaluation, 24 studies were included in the final analysis.

Results: Key global policies including the Safe Motherhood Initiative and SDGs have contributed significantly to improvements in maternal and child health. Notable successes include Rwanda’s use of community health workers to reduce maternal mortality, Peru’s efforts to combat child malnutrition, and GAVI’s vaccination programs, which have saved millions of children’s lives. However, critical challenges persist, including health workforce shortages, inadequate funding, poor quality of care, weak data systems, and insufficient focus on rural populations and adolescent health.

Conclusions: Effective implementation of maternal and child health policies requires strong political will, sustained financing, health system strengthening, and active community engagement. Future interventions must be evidence-based, context-specific, and equity-focused, with continued investment in workforce development, quality improvement, and robust data systems to achieve universal MCH coverage.