Surveillance of Maternal Death on the Borders Brazil/Bolivia and Brazil/Paraguay: citizenship and the right to health in tension

Abstract

Objective: To understand the perception of health professionals regarding the investigation of deaths of women of childbearing age and maternal deaths that occurred among Brazilians and foreigners and the performance of the Maternal Mortality Committees in municipalities on the border with Bolivia and Paraguay. Methods: This is a descriptive, exploratory study, with a qualitative approach, carried out in municipalities on the border of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul with other countries, with notifications of maternal deaths in 2016-2017, through interviews with professionals working in the surveillance of maternal death. Results: It was found that the investigation of deaths in women of childbearing age and maternal deaths is carried out, despite the difficulties related to the qualification of professionals who are part of the Maternal Death Surveillance Network; the disarticulation of the Health Care Network; and the scarce recognition of the importance of maternal death surveillance for health planning by managers. Conclusion: The qualification of the professionals, the effective implantation/implementation of the Maternal Mortality Committees and the strengthening of the Maternal Child Care Network in the border municipalities must be looked at carefully by managers, so that specific Public Policies are re-elaborated with a view to care and reduction of maternal deaths, given the vulnerability of these municipalities.