Vietnam needs to improve access to maternal and newborn care

Newly released figures show that the number of women dying during pregnancy or childbirth in Vietnam has dropped significantly. Estimates suggest that the number of deaths has nearly halved in recent decades, from 88 maternal deaths per 100,000 births in 2000 to 48 in 2023.

Today, babies in Vietnam have a better chance of surviving the first four weeks of life than ever before. In 2000, 15 out of every 1,000 live births died; by 2023, that rate had dropped by a third to 10 deaths.

On World Health Day 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling for accelerated action to ensure every mother and newborn receives the care they deserve.

Dr Angela Pratt, WHO Representative in Viet Nam, said that the theme of this year’s World Health Day is “Healthy Start, Bright Future”. This theme reminds us that when we prioritize the health of newborns and mothers, we ensure a brighter future for families, communities, societies and economies .

Dr Angela Pratt said that Vietnam has made impressive progress in protecting the lives of its youngest members and mothers. This progress is due to better health care, especially at the grassroots level, through immunization and improvements in nutrition, clean water and sanitation.

“This success is due to strong leadership from the Government, guidance from the Ministry of Health , the expertise and dedication of health workers at all levels, close collaboration with other agencies and support from partners,” said Dr Angela Pratt.

In recent years, under the leadership of the Government, WHO has supported the development and implementation of national policies and technical guidance on maternal, newborn and child health; assessed the quality of care and advised on continuous improvement strategies; and supported the implementation of early essential newborn care – a package of simple, cost-effective interventions that save the lives of many newborns.

However, there remains a significant disparity in mortality rates between women and children living in urban areas and those living in remote, disadvantaged areas where they have difficulty accessing quality maternal health services, according to Dr Angela Pratt. Mortality rates in Vietnam are higher than the WHO Western Pacific Region average, where there are an average of 35 maternal deaths per 100,000 births.

“We must do everything we can to close the gaps that exist in maternal and newborn health care,” stressed Dr. Angela Pratt.

Therefore, according to this expert, Vietnam needs to continue investing in improving access to quality care for all mothers and newborns, especially in mountainous, remote and disadvantaged areas; improving the quality of care, by supporting continuous training and upgrading skills for health workers, and establishing quality monitoring mechanisms.

Vietnam needs to ensure uninterrupted access to clean water, sanitation, soap, disposable towels or hand dryers, and cleaning supplies, as well as essential medicines and supplies; and harness technology such as digital health information systems to improve the quality and efficiency of care, while helping to provide the data needed to make evidence-based decisions.

To have a safe pregnancy and birth, and to give your baby a healthy start, the World Health Organization recommends that women see a health professional as soon as they know they are pregnant. These visits help monitor the mother's health, the baby's development, and detect possible complications.

During pregnancy, women need to maintain a healthy lifestyle by avoiding alcohol and secondhand smoke, getting recommended vaccinations, managing any existing health conditions, and seeking medical attention if they have any concerns.

Pregnant women should seek immediate medical attention if they experience unusual symptoms such as vaginal bleeding; abdominal pain; blurred vision, sudden swelling or persistent headache; changes in fetal movement; or abdominal trauma. These are not always signs of a serious problem, but it is best to seek medical attention.

Immediately after birth, the health facility should create an environment that supports early essential newborn care, including immediate skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby for at least 90 minutes and exclusive breastfeeding. This promotes emotional bonding and regulates the baby’s body temperature and heart rate. Women should also attend all postnatal check-ups to monitor their recovery and address any problems that may arise.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/viet-nam-can-cai-thien-kha-nang-tiep-can-dich-vu-cham-soc-cho-ba-me-va-tre-so-sinh-post870879.html