Inter-sectoral cooperation, political will and health outcomes: a study of Cuba's Maternal–Infant Health Programme

Abstract

Despite Cuba’s ongoing crises and severe resource shortages, many of its health indicators are unusually positive for a developing country. Two of the most impressive indicators are its maternal mortality ratio and infant mortality rate that are the lowest in Latin America and compare closely with developed world rates. Since material resources alone cannot explain these results, there is reason to suppose more intangible factors are involved. Based on recent research in Cuba that explored some of these factors, this article argues that the country’s success in maternal–infant health can be partly explained by inter-sectoral and inter-institutional cooperation and political will.