Our Focus
Commodities
Photo © 2023 WHO /—
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Our Focus
Commodities
Photo © 2023 WHO /—
Attribution to be supplied
Commodities have the potential to be a game changer for the survival of pregnant women, new mothers and their babies, if implemented within a functioning health system. quality-assured MNH commodities are essential for reducing maternal and newborn mortality and achieving the Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere targets.
However, commodities can only be effective if they are quality-assured and provided as part of a package of MNH interventions within a functioning health system, strengthening the capacity of health workers.
Since 2022, and building on the work of the UN Commission on Life-Saving Commodities, an expert group convened by the World Health Organization is supporting countries in scaling up life-saving commodities to improve maternal and newborn health and wellbeing and reduce stillbirths. It brings together professional organisations, country representation XXX/ Edgardo, who else? since 2022.
The impact
- Scale up of 13 priority maternal and newborn health commodities could save 6 million lives over a five-year period, according to the UN Commission on Life-Saving Commodities.
- Scaling up life-saving commodities can prevent an additional 2 million lives by 2030, as per BMGF 2023 GoalKeepers report estimates.
List of WHO-recommended quality-assured maternal health commodities, by indication and major condition
Key commodities (for enabling commodities, see here – link to enabling commodities for maternal health)
| Commodity | Presentation | Indication |
|---|---|---|
| Elemental Iron & Folic Acid | Tablets or capsules | Anaemia prevention and treatment i |
| Oxytocin | Ampoules | PPH prevention and treatment |
| HS-Carbetocin | Ampoules | PPH prevention ii |
| Ergometrin | Ampoules | PPH prevention and treatment iii |
| Misoprostol | Tablets | PPH prevention and treatment / Abortion care iv |
| Tranexamic acid | Ampoules | PPH treatment |
| Uterine Balloon Tamponade (UBT) | Devices | PPH management |
| Non-pneumatic anti-shock garment (NASG) | Devices | PPH management |
| Calibrated drapes | Devices | PPH prevention and management |
Footnotes:
i. If oxytocin not available or cold chain not assured.
ii. To be used as an alternative when oxytocin is unavailable.
iii. Ergometrin used when oxytocin is contraindicated.
iv. Misoprostol can be distributed antenatally in areas lacking skilled personnel.
| Commodity | Presentation | Indication |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium | Tablets | PE prevention i |
| Aspirin | Tablets | PE prevention ii |
| Labetalol | Tablets & ampoules | Management of HT iii |
| Methyldopa | Tablets | Management of HT |
| Nifedipine | Tablets | Management of HT / Management of preterm labour iv |
| Hydralazine | Ampoules | Management of HT |
| Magnesium Sulphate | Ampoules | PE-E prevention and treatment / management of preterm labour for neuroprotection v |
Footnotes:
i. For women with low dietary calcium intake.
ii. In women at moderate or high risk of preeclampsia.
iii. Suitable for emergency hypertension control.
iv. Used in case of preterm labor to manage hypertension.
v. For women at imminent risk of preterm birth before 32 weeks of gestation.
| Commodity | Presentation | Indication |
|---|---|---|
| Oral Antibiotics | Tablets | Treatment of ASB / completion of initial parenteral treatment i |
| Parenteral Antibiotics | Ampoules | Prophylaxis at C-Section, perineal tears, instrumental delivery ii |
| Aqueous chlorhexidine or povidone iodine | Solution | Vaginal preparation for C-Section |
| Alcohol-based chlorhexidine | Solution | Skin preparation for C-Section |
Footnotes:
i. According to local prevalence. Suggested antibiotics: Nitrofurantoin, ampicillin, first-generation cephalosporins.
ii. Use as per local antibiotic resistance patterns for surgical prophylaxis.
| Commodity | Presentation | Indication |
|---|---|---|
| Tetanus toxoid vaccine | Ampoules / vials | Immunizations i |
| Inactivated influenza vaccine | Ampoules / vials | Immunizations ii |
| Rubella vaccine | Ampoules / vials | Immunizations iii |
| Dexamethasone or betamethasone | Ampoules | Antenatal corticosteroid therapy |
Footnotes:
i. Recommended for neonatal tetanus prevention.
ii. Recommended in cases of maternal flu exposure to reduce neonatal mortality risks.
iii. Rubella vaccination to prevent congenital infections and neonatal complications.
| Commodity | Presentation | Indication |
|---|---|---|
| Oral Antibiotic: Amoxicillin | Dispersible tablets, Oral syrup | Neonatal sepsis i |
| Parenteral Antibiotics: Ampicillin and Gentamicin, procaine penicillin | Ampoule | Neonatal sepsis ii |
Footnotes:
i. Amoxicillin recommended based on local prevalence and resistance patterns.
ii. Combination therapy suggested to cover broad bacterial spectrum in sepsis cases.
| Commodity | Presentation | Indication |
|---|---|---|
| Self-inflating bag with appropriate mask (size 0 and 1) | Device | Newborn Resuscitation i |
| Pulse oximeter | Device | Oxygen saturation monitoring ii |
| Oxygen source (cylinder or concentrator) | ||
| Oxygen source (cylinder or concentrator) | Device | Oxygen administration iii |
| Thermometer | Device | Routine care – thermal care |
| Digital weighing scale | Device | Routine care – Weight monitoring |
| Neonatal stethoscope | Device | Routine care |
| Respiration Counter | Device | Routine care – Respiratory rate measurement |
| Vitamin K | Ampoule | Routine care iv |
Footnotes:
i. Essential for neonatal resuscitation in settings without advanced respiratory support.
ii. Necessary for monitoring oxygen saturation in premature and at-risk infants.
iii. Recommended in facilities without continuous oxygen supply for emergency cases.
iv. Vitamin K to prevent hemorrhagic disease in newborns.
| Commodity | Presentation | Indication |
|---|---|---|
| Dual HIV/Syphilis RDTs | Test kits | HIV & syphilis screening i |
| Zidovudine and Niverapine | Syrup | HIV exposure prophylaxis ii |
| Nucleic Acid Test (NAT) for HIV | Device | Early infant diagnosis for HIV iii |
Footnotes:
i. Recommended as part of routine antenatal care in high-risk regions.
ii. Prophylaxis for infants born to HIV-positive mothers to reduce transmission risk.
iii. Early testing to enable prompt initiation of antiretroviral therapy for exposed infants.
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