Regional situation
Every year, 30 000-50 000 women in the Region die from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. More than one million infants die before their first birthday and more than 30 000 babies die during the first week of their birth. More than 35 000 new cases of sexually transmitted infections occur yearly in the Region.
In order to address the complex and inter-related problems in reproductive health, the Regional Office has embarked on a strategy for the reduction of maternal mortality through several interventions that will improve access of women to safe and quality health care services for reproductive health and safe motherhood. The countries with high maternal mortality ratios were identified as priority countries.
Regional goal
To reduce, by 2015, the maternal mortality ratio by 75% of its 1990 level, and to contribute to the reduction of infant mortality by reducing the number of neonatal deaths. (Millennium Development Goal: Reduce by three quarters, between 1990 and 2015, the maternal mortality ratio.)
Regional objectives
To support countries and areas to develop evidence-based strategies and policies on maternal and newborn mortality reduction, particularly in the priority countries of Cambodia, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and Viet Nam.
To support the efforts of countries and areas to reduce unwanted pregnancies, increase contraceptive use rates, and provide accessible, equitable, gender-sensitive and high-quality reproductive health.
To support countries and areas to improve the health and nutritional status of women of all ages, especially pregnant and nursing women.
Regional strategies
(1) Promote government commitment to the Millennium Development Goals, reduce maternal and newborn mortality, and increase the coverage of skilled attendants.
(2) Provide technical and policy support to the priority countries and areas to build sustainable national capacity on safe motherhood.
(3) Provide technical support and information to countries and areas on promoting cost-effective, gender-sensitive and high-quality reproductive health and family planning services.
(4) Provide technical support to governments to strengthen their capacity to use and interpret existing information on reproductive health for decision-making, supervision and monitoring.
(5) Work with Member States to empower women with knowledge and self-confidence, through training and provision of information, to enable them to control their own fertility and seek health care when needed.
(6) Support countries and areas to mobilize individuals, families and communities to meet special needs of vulnerable populations for reproducive health services, especially for adolescent and pregnant women.
(7) Strengthen coordination and cooperation with other international agencies, bilateral agencies and nongovernmental organizations on safe motherhood and reproductive health.