@article {Kodan379, author = {Lachmi R. Kodan and Kim J. C. Verschueren and Geertje Boerstra and Inder Gajadien and Robert S. Mohamed and Lily D. Olmtak and Satish R. Mohan and Kitty W. M. Bloemenkamp}, title = {From Passive Surveillance to Response: Suriname{\textquoteright}s Efforts to Implement Maternal Death Surveillance and Response}, volume = {9}, number = {2}, pages = {379--389}, year = {2021}, doi = {10.9745/GHSP-D-20-00594}, publisher = {Global Health: Science and Practice}, abstract = {Key MessagesCrucial elements for a successful maternal death surveillance and response (MDSR) implementation are the 5 Cs: commitment, {\textquotedblleft}no blame, no shame{\textquotedblright} culture, coordination, collaboration, and communication.Essential steps to achieve sustainable MDSR in Suriname are: (1) improving the identification and notification of maternal deaths and (2) introducing and continuing systematic facility-based and national maternal death reviews.Lack of action following the recommendations to reduce preventable maternal death is the biggest obstacle for MDSR implementation in Suriname.Implementation of maternal death surveillance and response (MDSR) is crucial to reduce maternal deaths. In Suriname, MDSR was not implemented until 2015. We describe the process of MDSR implementation in Suriname and share the {\textquotedblleft}lessons learned,{\textquotedblright} as experienced by the health care providers, national maternal death review committee members, and public health experts. Before 2015, maternal deaths were identified using death certificates and by active surveillance in the hospitals. Based on the recommendations from a 2010{\textendash}2014 Reproductive Age Mortality Survey in Suriname, a maternal death review committee has improved the identification of maternal deaths and has audited every death since 2015. Although this review committee initiated several actions to implement MDSR together with health care providers, the involvement of the Ministry of Health (MOH) was crucial. Therefore, the Maternal Health Steering Committee was recently installed as a direct working arm of MOH to guide MDSR implementation. One of the main barriers to implementing MDSR in Suriname has been the lack of action following recommendations. Delineating roles and responsibilities for action, establishing accountability mechanisms, and influencing stakeholders in a position to act are critical to ensure a response to the recommendations. To implement MDSR, the 5 Cs{\textemdash}commitment, {\textquotedblleft}no blame, no shame{\textquotedblright} culture, coordination, collaboration, and communication{\textemdash}are crucial.}, URL = {https://www.ghspjournal.org/content/9/2/379}, eprint = {https://www.ghspjournal.org/content/9/2/379.full.pdf}, journal = {Global Health: Science and Practice} }