The key messages outlined in this policy brief are the following: * To implement EmOC policy efficiently and effectively, the key aspects of financing, workforce, provision of medicine and other products, and improved service delivery need to be well established. * Certain barriers are recognised as major challenges to successful implementation of EmOC policy. These include inadequate funding, untimeliness in the availability of funds, unsustainable funding, the inability of services users to pay out of pocket for EmOC medication and services, inadequate stock of medicine, and lastly, inadequate healthcare workers. * Financial challenges to implementing an EmOC programme can be overcome by making maternal health services free of charge, or by adopting effective financing mechanisms such as community-based health insurance schemes. * Investment in human resources for maternal health may lead to improved emergency obstetric services. * Intersectoral collaboration should be strengthened to address circumstances in which government is overwhelmed by the demand for medicine and other key medical products.