Gynuity Receives $25 Million for Project on Postpartum Hemorrhage

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is one of the main causes of maternal mortality in low-resource communities, causing deaths that would not have occurred in other settings. Yet, simple, easy-to-use remedies may help combat the problem of PPH.

For example, misoprostol, an easy to store, stable drug available widely in pill form, can prevent up to 75% of cases of PPH when used immediately after the baby’s birth(1). If heavy postpartum bleeding does occur, misoprostol effectively stops bleeding for 9 out of 10 women within 20 minutes(2). Clinical and programmatic approaches for better management of PPH with misoprostol could contribute to the international goal of reducing maternal deaths by 75% by the year 2015.

Gynuity Heath Projects, a research and technical assistance organization based in New York City, has received a $25 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to answer some of the remaining scientific questions around PPH and misoprostol, and to develop the pragmatic and policy approaches best suited to making this technology available to women.

Some of the specific research and program approaches in the five-year body of work include:

• development and implementation of studies to identify pathways for the safe and effective use of misoprostol for PPH prevention and treatment for use outside of tertiary level facilities;
• development of an evidence-based policy and advocacy agenda in partnership with key international and regional organizations;
• creation of new clinical knowledge on misoprostol for PPH prevention and treatment;
• encouragement of policy change at national and international levels;
• creation of informational materials for use by various audiences to address issues of access to interventions to prevent and treat PPH; and

• collaboration with pharmaceutical entities to push for greater availability of misoprostol for PPH care.

The program of work capitalizes on Gynuity’s expertise in research and especially its extensive experience in the area of misoprostol and of PPH. In partnership with other agencies and experts, Gynuity’s new work will help pave a path towards safe, effective and comprehensive maternal health care.

For more information about this initiative write to pubinfo@gynuity.org.

(1) Derman et al, The Lancet 2006
(2) Blum et al & Winikoff et al, The Lancet Jan 2010