Millennium Development Goal 5 (MDG 5): Improve Maternal Health MDG 5 aimed to reduce maternal
mortality and improve maternal health. It focused on two main targets:
1. Reduce the maternal mortality ratio by three-quarters between 1990 and 2015.
2. Achieve universal access to reproductive health by 2015.
Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3): Ensure Good Health and Well-being SDG 3 is about
promoting well-being for all at all ages, including reducing maternal mortality. One of the specific
targets under SDG 3 is: 3.1: By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per
100,000 live births.
Comparison: Both MDG 5 and SDG 3 have a strong focus on improving maternal health and reducing
maternal mortality. While MDG 5 aimed to reduce the maternal mortality ratio by three-quarters by
2015, SDG 3 extends this target by aiming to bring the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70
per 100,000 live births by 2030. This demonstrates a continuation and strengthening of efforts to
ensure the well-being of mothers.
SDG 3 goes beyond MDG 5 by not only focusing on maternal health but also addressing broader
health and well-being concerns for all individuals. It includes targets related to child mortality,
infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, mental health, and access to essential healthcare
services.
In summary, while MDG 5 specifically targeted maternal health and mortality reduction, SDG 3
encompasses a wider range of health-related goals, including maternal health, to ensure the overall
well-being of all individuals.
Comparison of MDG 5 and SDG 3:
MDG 5 (Improve Maternal Health):
•
Successes: MDG 5 led to significant progress in some regions, with a reduction in maternal
mortality ratios in many countries. It prompted global attention to maternal health and
generated efforts to improve access to skilled birth attendants and antenatal care.
•
Failures: While progress was made, MDG 5 was not universally achieved. Many countries,
especially those with weaker healthcare systems, struggled to make substantial reductions in
maternal mortality. Additionally, MDG 5 primarily focused on maternal mortality ratios, often
neglecting other aspects of maternal health and reproductive rights.
SDG 3 (Ensure Good Health and Well-being):
•
Successes: SDG 3 reflects a broader understanding of health, encompassing not only maternal
health but also child health, disease prevention, mental health, and universal healthcare
coverage. This holistic approach aims to address the root causes of health disparities and
promote overall well-being.
•
Failures: As of the last update in September 2021, while progress has been made in several
areas under SDG 3, challenges remain. Many regions still struggle with high maternal and child
mortality rates, unequal access to healthcare, and the burden of communicable and noncommunicable diseases.
Current Status of the Goals:
•
MDG 5: The MDG target was not met globally, although there were substantial reductions in
maternal mortality ratios in many countries. Maternal health remains a critical concern,
particularly in low-income and fragile settings.
•
SDG 3: Progress toward achieving the targets under SDG 3 has been mixed. Some improvements
have been observed in child and maternal health, as well as infectious disease control. However,
challenges persist in achieving universal health coverage, addressing non-communicable
diseases, and ensuring access to quality healthcare for all.
CHN Nurse's Plan to Achieve SDG 3 in the Community:
As a Community Health Nursing (CHN) nurse, here's a plan to contribute to achieving SDG 3 (Ensure
Good Health and Well-being) in your community:
1. Health Education and Awareness: Conduct regular health education sessions on maternal
health, family planning, hygiene, and disease prevention. Emphasize the importance of
antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, and postnatal care.
2. Prenatal and Postnatal Care Clinics: Establish or support community clinics that provide
comprehensive maternal care. Offer antenatal check-ups, vaccinations, and postnatal follow-ups
to monitor both the mother's and baby's health.
3. Safe Motherhood Initiatives: Collaborate with local health authorities and NGOs to implement
safe motherhood initiatives. Provide access to clean delivery kits, promote birth preparedness
plans, and educate families about danger signs during pregnancy and childbirth.
4. Family Planning Services: Offer family planning counseling and services to empower women
and couples to make informed choices about their reproductive health. Provide contraceptives
and promote birth spacing.
5. Child Health and Immunization Programs: Organize child health clinics for vaccinations, growth
monitoring, and nutrition counseling. Address common childhood illnesses and provide parents
with guidance on child care practices.
6. Nutrition Promotion: Raise awareness about the importance of balanced diets during
pregnancy and childhood. Advocate for breastfeeding and provide guidance on appropriate
complementary feeding.
7. Community Health Workers: Train and deploy community health workers who can conduct
home visits, provide health education, and monitor the health of pregnant women and children.
8. Mental Health Support: Recognize the significance of mental health during pregnancy and
postpartum. Provide counseling and support to address maternal stress, depression, and
anxiety.
9. Partnerships and Advocacy: Collaborate with local leaders, healthcare facilities, and NGOs to
advocate for improved healthcare infrastructure, access to essential medicines, and equitable
healthcare services.
10. Data Collection and Monitoring: Keep track of maternal and child health indicators in the
community. Use this data to identify trends, areas of concern, and progress over time.
11. Emergency Preparedness: Develop plans for emergency obstetric care and disaster response to
ensure that maternal and child health services continue during crises.
By implementing these strategies, you can play a pivotal role in improving maternal and child health in
your community, contributing to the realization of SDG 3. Remember that sustained efforts, community
engagement, and collaboration with relevant stakeholders are key to achieving lasting impact.