Table 1 Emergency obstetric care indicators, questions and acceptable levels

Do the services exist and function?

1. Availability of EmOC: basic and comprehensive facilities

At least five EmOC facilities (including at least one comprehensive) per 500,000 population

Are the services geographically and equitably distributed?

2. Geographical distribution of EmOC facilities

Equitably distributed in an area

Are the services being used by pregnant women?

3. Proportion of all births in EmOC facilities

Recommended level set locally

Are the services being used by women with complications?

4. Met need for EmOC services

100%

Do they provide critical life saving services?

5. Caesarean section as a proportion of all births

5-15%

Do they provide good quality care?

6. Direct obstetric case fatality rate

<1%

7. Intrapartum and very early neonatal death rate

To be set

8. Proportion of maternal deaths due to indirect causes

None set