Table 1 Trial activities by arms of the trial in the first 2.5 years

Hospitals for caesarean sections and clinics for emergency care are buttressed

Hospitals for caesarean sections and clinics for emergency care are buttressed: materials from the programme are available to controls if needed for emergencies and staff trained in IMCI as needed.

Health clubs organized and participants receive:

   2 years of training in health issues.

Training and mentoring for several village

health workers, who are members of the

health clubs, in issues related to maternal

and child health.

Maternal and child health outreach

programme operated by 6–8 trained

mentor nurses.

Free institutional deliveries for high risk

mothers and delivery kits to all pregnant

mothers.

   Medicines package for children.

Quarterly monitoring surveys

Quarterly monitoring surveys