Illustrative photo (Photo: who.int) Vientiane (VNA) – The loss of life for mothersduring childbirth reached its lowest point in Laos’s history, according to a newUnited Nations report.
The report estimates that between 2000 and 2020,the number of pregnant women who died per 100,000 live births dropped from 579in 2000 to 126 in 2020 – a reduction of 78.7% – one of the fastest fallingrates in the world.
In contrast, in nearly all regions of the world, decliningmaternal mortality rates slowed or stagnated, according to the report "Trendsin maternal mortality" produced by the World Health Organisation (WHO) onbehalf of a group of United Nations entities, including UNICEF, UNFPA, and theWorld Bank Group.
WHO Representative Dr. Ying-Ru Lo said that the commendable,lifesaving progress reflects years of commitment and investment by the LaoGovernment and partners.
It combines better health services, facilities, and morehighly skilled healthcare staff, increasing the number of mothers accessingservices.
Equally important is strong leadership driving these efforts,coordinated by an effective National Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child andAdolescent Health (RMNCAH) Committee, which WHO is proud to support, she said.
Essential to the country’s progress has been an increase inthe number and quality of midwives, nurses, and other skilled birth attendants,according to the report.
The Lao Social Indicator Survey shows a 23% increase in deliveriesassisted by a skilled birth attendant between 2011 and 2017. Equally importantwas the establishment of free maternal and child health services nationwide in2013, later incorporated into the continuous expansion of the National HealthInsurance scheme in 2015./.
