WHO in Viet Nam calls for more action to save mothers and newborns

New figures just released show that far fewer women are dying during pregnancy or childbirth in Viet Nam. Deaths are estimated to have nearly halved in recent decades, from 88 women dying for every 100,000 babies born in the year 2000, to 48 deaths in 2023.

Today, a baby born in Viet Nam has a much greater chance of surviving its first four weeks of life than ever before. In 2000, 15 babies were dying for every 1000 live births; by 2023, the rate had decreased by one third to 10 deaths.

The theme for World Health Day this year is "Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures."

"This theme reminds us that, when we prioritise the health of newborns and mothers, we ensure more hopeful futures for families, communities, society and the economy," WHO Representative in Viet Nam Dr Angela Pratt said.

"Viet Nam has made very impressive progress on safeguarding the lives of the youngest members of society and their mothers.

"This progress is due to better health care especially at grassroots level, vaccination, and improvements in nutrition, water and sanitation. It's also thanks to strong Government leadership, Ministry of Health guidance, health-care worker expertise and dedication at every level, close collaboration with other agencies and support from partners," she said. "WHO is proud to partner in these efforts."

Investing in newborn and maternal health is not just the right thing to do, it also makes economic sense. Every US$ 1 invested can yield a return of up to US$ 20.

In recent years, under the leadership of the Government, WHO has helped to: develop and deliver national policies and technical guidelines on maternal, newborn and child health; assess the quality of care and advise on strategies for continuous improvement; and support the implementation of early essential newborn care – a package of simple, cost-effective interventions which save lives.

"However, our work is not yet done," she said. "Pregnancy and childbirth should be a time of joy, but for too many families, it still ends in tragedy. The life of every mother and every newborn is precious. So, we must do everything possible to close remaining gaps in maternal and newborn care."

There are still major differences in death rates between women and babies who live in urban areas and those who live in remote disadvantaged areas, where they struggle to access quality maternal health-care services. Death rates are higher in Viet Nam than WHO's Western Pacific Region as a whole, where on average 35 mothers die for every 100,000 births.

To close the gaps, Viet Nam needs to continue to invest in improving access to quality care for all mothers and newborns, especially in remote highland, mountainous, and disadvantaged areas; improve the quality of care, by supporting ongoing training and upskilling of health-care workers, and establish mechanisms to monitor quality; ensure uninterrupted access to water, sanitation, soap, single-use towels or dryers, and cleaning supplies, as well as essential medicines and supplies; and harness technology – like digital health information systems – to improve quality and efficiency of care, and help give decision makers the data they need to make evidence-based decisions.

"Investing in mother and child health is not just about survival; it is about ensuring a bright and hopeful future for women and their children – and therefore a bright and hopeful future for Viet Nam," Dr Pratt said.

Messages for the mothers, families and health-care workers

For a safe pregnancy and childbirth, and to give a baby a healthy start, WHO recommends women seek checks with a health professional as soon as they know they are pregnant. These checks monitor the mother's health, and the baby's development, and detect possible complications. During pregnancy, women should maintain a healthy lifestyle by avoiding alcohol and second-hand smoke, have the recommended vaccinations, manage any existing health conditions and seek medical care if they have any concerns.

Pregnant women should seek immediate care if they experience abnormal signs such as vaginal bleeding; abdominal pain; blurred vision, sudden swelling, or persistent headache; changes in the baby's movements; or abdominal injuries. These are not always signs of something serious, but it is always best to get them checked.

Immediately after the baby is born, health-care facilities should create a supportive environment for early essential newborn care, which includes immediate skin-to-skin contact between mother and child for at least 90 minutes, and exclusive breastfeeding. This promotes bonding and regulates the baby's temperature and heart rate. Women should also attend all of their postnatal appointments to monitor their recovery and address any concerns they have./.