WHO Reports 53% Decline in Maternal Mortality Ratio in South-East Asia Since 2010

Synopsis

The South-East Asia region has seen a remarkable 53% reduction in maternal mortality ratio since 2010, as reported by WHO on World Health Day. Despite progress, challenges remain with thousands of maternal and newborn deaths each month, highlighting the need for continued efforts in healthcare improvements.

Key Takeaways

53% reduction in maternal mortality ratio (MMR) since 2010.
Highest decline in stillbirth and child mortality rates.
Approximately 2,700 mothers and 45,000 newborns die monthly.
Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is essential.
Theme: “Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures.”

New Delhi, April 7 (NationPress) According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the South-East Asia region has achieved a remarkable 53 percent decrease in the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) since 2010, as announced on World Health Day this Monday.

World Health Day is recognized annually on April 7.

Saima Wazed, the Regional Director for WHO South-East Asia, highlighted the significant strides made in recent years towards enhancing maternal and child health.

Since 2010, the South-East Asia region has recorded the highest decline in the stillbirth rate, along with maternal, newborn, and child mortality rates, surpassing all other WHO regions and the global average.

“We have seen a 53 percent reduction in the maternal mortality ratio (MMR), a 44 percent decrease in the neonatal mortality rate (NMR), a 39 percent drop in the stillbirth rate (SBR), and a 49 percent reduction in the under-five mortality rate (U5MR),” Wazed stated.

She emphasized that for the first time, the region has “reported an MMR of under 100 per 100,000 live births (currently at 96).”

From 2016 to 2023, maternal mortality in the region decreased by an average of 5.1 percent annually, which is more than three times the global reduction rate.

Despite these advancements, the region still faces maternal mortality challenges, Wazed noted.

“The stark reality is that in our region today, approximately 2,700 mothers and 45,000 newborns continue to die each month. We tragically witness about 34,600 stillbirths monthly. Most of these fatalities are preventable,” the Regional Director stated.

Addressing these issues—whether through enhanced coverage, quality evidence-based intervention packages, or socio-economic factors—requires a unified and coordinated effort from all stakeholders, she remarked.

The theme for this year's World Health Day, “Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures,” is the first dedicated to maternal and newborn health since 2005.

“Our health begins even before birth. It is a multigenerational legacy, passed from our grandparents to our parents to us. This indicates that by improving the health of our populace today, we create ripples of positive effects across time, benefiting future generations,” Wazed explained.

“The well-being of mothers and their newborns is crucial not just for our communities today, but for all future generations,” she added.

Wazed urged for the enhancement of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), which aims to establish a healthcare system accessible to everyone without financial strain, and for strengthening primary healthcare systems to deliver inclusive and equitable care.