Remarkable Progress, New Horizons and Renewed Commitment: Ending Preventable Maternal, Newborn and Child Deaths in South-East Asia Region

In 1990, the South-East Asia Region had a very high maternal mortality ratio (MMR) of 525 per 100,000 live births, well above the global average of 385 and second only to the Africa Region. By 2015, the Region had attained an MMR of 164 which was well below the global average of 216. Despite the sharp reduction in MMR at 69% reduction, SEAR fell short of the MDG 5 mark.

It is however noteworthy, that SEAR registered the best progress made in MMR reduction among all the Regions in the MDGs era. Compared to a total of 210,000 maternal deaths in the 11 countries of the region in 1990, the region had 149,000 fewer maternal deaths in 2015 in comparison to 1990. The burden of maternal deaths in 2015 had plummeted to 61,000 – an unprecedented accomplishment in maternal survival in the history of South-East Asian countries.

The new vision of the SDGs and the new framework of the Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health demand new thinking, new strategies and new tools to assist Member States.