Table 1 Definition of BEmONC

Emergency obstetric and newborn care (EmONC) is defined as a set of life-saving interventions, that treat the major obstetric and newborn causes of morbidity and mortality. To assess the level of care, these functions are classified as basic EmONC (BEmONC) or comprehensive EmONC (CEmONC) levels of care.

BEmONC services comprise:

1) administration of parenteral antibiotics to prevent puerperal infection or treat abortion complications;

2) administration of parenteral anticonvulsants for treatment of eclampsia and preeclampsia;

3) administration of parenteral uterotonic drugs for postpartum hemorrhage;

4) manual removal of the placenta;

5) assisted vaginal delivery (vacuum extractions);

6) removal of retained products of conception; and

7) neonatal resuscitation.

If a facility has provided all seven key BEmONC functions in the last 3 months, it is called a BEmONC facility.

CEmONC services comprise caesarean sections and blood transfusions, in addition to BEmONC functions.

Source: WHO, 2009 [17]