Maternal health
Maternal health

Maternal health in Viet Nam

Every mother and newborn child has the right to a positive and safe birthing experience. Women die as a result of complications during and following pregnancy and childbirth. Most of these complications develop during pregnancy and most are preventable or treatable. Other complications may exist before pregnancy but are worsened during pregnancy, especially if not managed as part of the woman’s care. The major complications that account for nearly 75% of all maternal deaths are:

  • severe bleeding (mostly bleeding after childbirth);

  • infections (usually after childbirth);

  • high blood pressure during pregnancy (pre-eclampsia and eclampsia);

  • complications from delivery; and

  • unsafe abortion.

Maternal health can be promoted by:

  • developing evidence-based policies and strategies;

  • improving access to the full range of affordable, equitable and high-quality family planning and reproductive health services to increase the contraceptive use rate and reduce unwanted pregnancies; and

  • improving the health and nutrition status of women of all ages, especially pregnant and nursing women.

Viet Nam has been making progress towards the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 5A, with maternal mortality ratio (MMR) reduced from 139/100 000 live births in 1990 to 54/100 000 live births in 1995 – equivalent to 3.8% annual change.

Improving maternal health is one of WHO’s priorities in Viet Nam. WHO works to contribute in the reduction of maternal mortality by increasing research evidence, providing evidence-based clinical and programmatic guidance, setting global standards, and providing technical support.

Technical links

Maternal mortality in developing countries

Every day, approximately 830 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth; 99% of all maternal deaths occur in developing countries. Maternal mortality is higher in women living in rural areas and among poorer communities. Young adolescents face a higher risk of complications and death as a result of pregnancy than other women.

Global maternal mortality

Between 1990 and 2015, maternal mortality worldwide dropped by about 44%. Between 2016 and 2030, as part of the Sustainable Development Goals, the target is to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100 000 live births.

Preventing maternal mortality

  • Skilled care before, during and after childbirth can save the lives of women and newborn babies.
  • Around 25–40% of maternal deaths can be eliminated if unplanned pregnancies are prevented.
  • 3 million babies and women could be saved each year through investing in quality care around the time of birth and special care for sick and small newborns.

National action plan

The Government of Viet Nam implements the National Action Plan on Maternal Newborn and Child Health for the period, 2016-2020, with comprehensive interventions to improve the availability, affordability and quality of health services; enhance communication and advocacy to increase awareness and support of policy makers, as well as communities; and bolster the health information system for reproductive, maternal and child health.

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