however all countries should reduce maternal morbidity and mortality to levels where they no longer constitute a public health problem disparities in maternal mortality within countries and between geographical regions socioeconomic and ethnic groups should be narrowed all countries with the support of all sections of the international community must expand the provision of maternal health services in the context of primary health care these services based on the concept of informed choice should include education on safe motherhood prenatal care that is focused and effective maternal nutrition programmes adequate delivery assistance that avoids excessive recourse to caesarean sections and provides for obstetric emergencies referral services for pregnancy childbirth and abortion complications postnatal care and family planning