Savannakhet urged to upgrade healthcare for expectant mothers

Local officials have been encouraged to improve quality and increase access to maternal health services in target districts of Savannakhet province in line with national policy.
This was the message from Minister of Health Associate Prof. Dr Bounkong Syhavong at a ceremony last week to hand over ambulances to the target districts.
He said the new vehicles would help reduce maternal mortality. In the past, a lack of ambulances had severely affected the safety and quality of care given to mothers and newborns.
Maternal mortality is defined as the death of a mother through pregnancy-related causes.
The ambulances, together with trained and skilled medical staff, can assist expectant mothers and attend to any emergencies that may arise,” he said.
The ministry is currently rolling out the Health Governance and Nutrition Development Project to help increase coverage of reproductive, maternal and child health, and nutrition services in target areas. 
A senior official at Savannakhet province’s Health Department said the new ambulances were needed as many deaths were related to pregnancy, delivery and post-delivery. It was also essential to encourage expectant mothers to have check-ups at least four times before giving birth. They should also be encouraged to give birth at a hospital.
The failure of many mothers to have health checks is one of the many reasons why mothers and their children are dying in the province each year, he added.
Although maternal, newborn and child death rates in Laos have declined, many poor women living in remote areas of the country are denied health services because they can’t afford to pay for hospital visits.

By Phetphoxay Sengpaseuth
(Latest Update August 23, 2019)