MOMENTUM Safe Surgery in Family Planning and Obstetrics
BeninBurundiDemocratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)GuineaIndiaMadagascarMaliMozambiqueNigeriaRwandaSenegal
| 2020-2025
The MOMENTUM Safe Surgery in Family Planning and Obstetrics program, funded by USAID, was designed to strengthen surgical safety in maternal health and voluntary family planning services. Although the program was terminated early in 2025 due to the dismantling of USAID, its impact continues through more than 60 resources now available. These resources—ranging from training materials to technical briefs—serve as a valuable legacy to advance surgical safety and improve maternal and family planning care worldwide.
Building a Legacy of Surgical Safety and Maternal Health
Through evidence-based approaches, innovative practices, and global collaboration, the MOMENTUM Safe Surgery program expanded access to high-quality, person-centered surgical care. By focusing on key areas such as obstetric fistula, caesarean delivery prevention, and voluntary family planning, the program worked to eliminate barriers to care, improve outcomes, and advance the global commitment to ending preventable maternal deaths and injuries.
This program built upon EngenderHealth’s decades-long commitment to ending obstetric fistula, integrating these efforts with improved access to family planning services.
As the MOMENTUM Safe Surgery Director, Dr. Vandana Tripathi, notes:
This project was the first USAID-funded effort in safe surgery, and one of the first global initiatives to recognize and act on health systems needs for surgical interventions across maternal and reproductive health care. We built a framework for strengthening surgical ecosystems to support people in seeking, reaching, and receiving appropriate care, and in remaining connected to the health system for integrated follow-up after discharge. The innovations created through the program provide a foundation for partners to continue expanding access to quality surgical care across the life course to reduce the burden of preventable mortality and morbidity in low-resource settings.
Collaborative Efforts Across 11 Countries
The tools and insights generated through this work remain crucial for advancing safe surgery within maternal health programs, and the evidence produced continues to guide global health policy.
MOMENTUM Safe Surgery was implemented across 11 countries—led by EngenderHealth and supported by core partners like IntraHealth International, Johns Hopkins University Center for Communication Programs, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Together, we provided crucial training, scaled evidence-based practices, and generated global tools that continue to benefit healthcare providers and organizations working in maternal health and family planning.
Access and Use the MOMENTUM Safe Surgery Legacy Resources
The legacy of the MOMENTUM Safe Surgery program is now available to global health professionals, policymakers, and partners in the form of over 60 technical resources. These include implementation guides, policy briefs, case studies, training materials, and peer-reviewed publications, all of which are accessible on our website.
These resources provide the evidence and best practices needed to carry this work forward. Whether you are looking to integrate surgical safety into your own programs or contribute to global efforts to improve maternal and family planning care, these tools are designed to support sustainable, high-quality care.
Explore the MOMENTUM Safe Surgery Legacy Resources
Resources & Publications
Revitalizing and Scaling Up Postpartum and Postabortion Family Planning within Universal Health Coverage: Global Convening Report
Discover key takeaways from a global convening on integrating postpartum and postabortion family planning (PPFP/PAFP) into universal health coverage. This report from the EngenderHealth-led, USAID-funded MOMENTUM Safe Surgery in Family Planning and Obstetrics project outlines strategies for scaling PPFP/PAFP through health systems integration, community engagement, and private sector collaboration.
Explore the Safe Childbirth Checklist Landscape Analysis from the EngenderHealth-led, USAID-funded MOMENTUM Safe Surgery in Family Planning and Obstetrics project. This in-depth review of 46 global guidelines and evidence sources identifies key gaps and opportunities to improve maternal and newborn care pathways, offering strategies to prevent, manage, and treat complications that contribute to maternal and newborn mortality.
Safe, Dignified, Respectful Delivery: A Counseling Tool for Health Workers
Confidently guide childbirth conversations with Birthing Choices, a practical, trusted tool from the EngenderHealth-led, USAID-funded MOMENTUM Safe Surgery in Family Planning and Obstetrics project. Designed for health workers, it supports respectful, informed counseling on partner involvement, vaginal birth, and cesarean delivery.
While the MOMENTUM Safe Surgery in Family Planning and Obstetrics program may have come to an end, its legacy endures. The insights and tools created through this program will continue to shape the future of maternal and family planning care. By using these resources, partners can ensure that the lessons learned and practices developed through this program continue to improve healthcare systems and save lives for years to come.
