Introduction
Millennium development goals initiative has enabled the establishment of a myriad of strategies to measure the progress of global health (Tanne, 2007). Health has been prioritized as a global issue that needs prudent redress. As a result, the fundamental focus on global affairs has quite often integrated health matters to minimize socio-economic threats facing vulnerable populations, especially in most third-world economies. These aspects include poverty, ill health, gender inequality, environmental degradation as well as poorly established educational infrastructural facilities (Tanne, 2007). Among the eight identified goals, it has been found that they are all related in one way or the other. These goals were adopted by United Nations in order to improve global health. The goals affirm that every individual is entitled to dignity, freedom, equality, and the right to basic amenities such as education, shelter, and food. The precursors include the World Bank, International monetary fund, and Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OTCD). Goal five will be discussed in a broader perspective in this paper to illustrate the outcomes used in measuring the progress of millennium health goals.
Goal concept
Goal five of the millennium health goal envisions lower mortality rate by three quarters before the close of 2015. In line with this, it aims at enhancing universal access to reproductive health services which involves coverage of antenatal care and family planning services. In order to measure the progress of the millennium health goal, several objectives have been put in place. Moreover, United Nations has established 48 technical indicators that are currently being used as tools to measure progress (United Nations, 2010). Indicators to measure progress have also been adopted by several experts who are the key precursors of the millennium goals. These outcomes have been used to enhance progress in achieving the set goals by 2015. As part of the follow-up, there have been attempts to increase health personnel such as doctors, nurses, and midwives who are supposed to provide maternal care to adult patients. This has resulted in reduced cases of adult and infant mortality rates (United Nations, 2010).
Moreover, modern treatment technologies have been introduced in developing countries hence reducing mortality rates in both children and adults. This has enhanced health services to become sufficient and affordable. Definitely, it has been possible for larger populations to benefit from the same. Another outcome of measuring progress involves funding sustainably toward the program to secure health systems. This has facilitated the safe passage of young female adults to motherhood. Increased health services in hospitals have fostered easier access to health personnel. The use of measurable indicators has helped to access the rates of mortality rate. Skilled health personnel have used the indicators to control birth rates by use of improved antenatal services. Data obtained from the population facilitates easier monitoring of maternal mortality progress (United Nations, 2010).
Why is this important in terms of the health of a nation?
According to Wagstaff and Claeson (2004), this goal is important in maintaining a healthy nation. Indicators of maternal health help to monitor and control the mortality rate in adults and infants. Additionally, the goal will help to improve the proportion of female adults who access maternal health personnel. This will eventually lower complication cases associated with pregnancies hence fostering good health among women. Moreover, reduced mortality rates will be reduced thereby ensuring a constant population output in a country.
Is this an important goal to have in your community?
Apparently, this goal is paramount in the community since issues of maternal care are basic for females in the population (Wagstaff & Claeson, 2004). Family planning matters and antenatal are necessary hence need to be provided. In this case, this goal will play a role in ensuring access to health services. In our community, several strategies have been put in place towards achieving this goal. For instance, maternal services have been enhanced to control the birth rate and also lower the rate of maternal mortality. Furthermore, skilled personnel has been employed in order to perform quality maternal services within the community.
Monitoring the health goal. Measurements used to represent the progress
Monitoring the set health goals is carried out by qualified health personnel and policymakers who are responsible for catering to the well-being of people in a specific community or nation (The Health Measurement Research Group, 2008). They use several measurements to track down the progress of set health goals. For instance, they use surveys to measure output on regular basis. They retrieve clinical records of patients to evaluate the usefulness of the effort made to achieve the goal. Additionally, measurement of patients’ health has been derived by assessing the outcomes of health services provided to patients. This has been done by comparing the mortality rate of past years to evaluate the trend of the health goal (The Health Measurement Research Group, 2008).
Nursing role in working towards the Millennium Development Goals
Nurses have a major role to play in promoting global health. For instance, they act as professionals who take the initiative to educate, mentor, and innovate their skills in helping people to achieve healthcare services. Their midwifery efforts help in attaining the millennium development goals. In the process of helping patients, they have fostered great progress in limiting the mortality rate among adults and children.
References
Tanne, J. (2007). Website tracks progress towards UN millennium goals. British Medical Journal, 335(7628),1014.
The Health Measurement Research Group. (2008). Current Projects. Web.
United Nations. (2010). The Millennium Development Goals Report. Web.
Wagstaff, A. & Claeson, M. (2004). Millennium Development Goals: Rising to the Challenges. Washington DC: World Bank Publishing, Inc.