Lai Chau, Viet Nam – 4 April 2025 – Despite Viet Nam's significant strides in reducing maternal mortality, regional disparities persist. In mountainous and ethnic minority areas, maternal mortality rates range from 100 to 150 deaths per 100,000 live births—more than double the national average of 46 per 100,000. Notably, among vulnerable ethnic groups like the H’Mông, the risk of maternal death is seven times higher than that of the Kinh majority.
To evaluate the implementation of interventions aimed at reducing maternal mortality in these high-risk regions, a joint monitoring team from the Ministry of Health, Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD), and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) conducted a review of the project "Leaving No One Behind: Innovative Interventions to Reduce Maternal Mortality in Ethnic Minority Regions in Viet Nam" in Lai Châu Province from April 2-4, 2025.
This initiative, funded by MSD for Mothers, MSD Viet Nam, and UNFPA, in collaboration with theMinistry of Health and health departments across six mountainous provinces (Lai Châu, Sơn La, Bắc Kạn, Gia Lai, Kon Tum, and Đắk Nông), boasts a total budget exceeding USD 2 million. The project introduces key innovations to enhance access to and utilization of quality maternal health and family planning services among ethnic minority women, ensuring that no woman dies from preventable causes during pregnancy and childbirth.
During the mission, representatives from UNFPA, MSD, and the Ministry of Health visited the Mù Sang Commune Health Station and the Phong Thổ District Health Center. The team engaged with healthcare workers, local partners, and ethnic minority women to assess the project's outcomes over the past three years. Despite challenges such as limited equipment and medical personnel, difficult terrain, and cultural barriers, efforts by the grassroots health system, proactive local authorities, and project support have yielded positive results. In Mù Sang Commune, the rate of facility-based births increased from 24% in 2022 to 61% in 2024. The percentage of women attending at least four antenatal care visits rose from 27.2% to 41.7%.
Additionally, the proportion of women using modern contraceptive methods grew from 59.9% to 62.2% over the three-year period. In 2024, integrated communication activities and campaigns provided reproductive health and family planning services to 339 mothers, and disseminated information to 479 women and men in the commune.
Furthermore, the delegation met with the Lai Châu Provincial People's Committee and the Department of Health to discuss the monitoring findings and strategies for strengthening thegrassroots health system to ensure the project's sustainability post-implementation. Provincial and health sector leaders committed to integrating project activities into local health programs to effectively improve maternal health in the future.
The monitoring findings reaffirm the urgency of innovative interventions that incorporate socio-cultural factors to bridge gaps in maternal healthcare in ethnic minority areas, ensuring that no woman dies from preventable causes during pregnancy and childbirth.
Matt Jackson, UNFPA Representative in Viet Nam, emphasised: "Maternal mortality rates in ethnic minority communities remain high due to a combination of difficulties in accessing health centres due to mountainous locations and cultural barriers. UNFPA is working with partners on innovative solutions to improve the quality and accessibility of maternal health services in priority locations. Results are already showing an increase in antenatal checkups, births in health centres and village-based health workers - all of which contribute to safe births and ending preventable maternal deaths.”
Ms. Katharina Geppert, Managing Director of MSD in Viet Nam, stated: “At MSD, we believe every mother deserves access to safe and quality care. Through collaboration with UNFPA and the Government of Viet Nam, we are investing in innovative interventions to createa lasting impact on maternal health in the most disadvantaged communities."
Ms. Tran Thi Bich Loan, Deputy Director of the Administration of Maternal and Children’s Affairs, Ministry of Health, stated: "Ensuring the safety of mothers during pregnancy and childbirth is a top priority of the Government of Viet Nam. This project contributes positively to reducing maternal mortality in ethnic minority communities by strengthening the grassroots health system to improve access to quality healthcare services. We are committed to continuing our collaboration with UNFPA, MSD, and partners to ensure that every woman, regardless of location, has the right to a safe pregnancy and childbirth."
The mission acknowledges Viet Nam's efforts toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goal of reducing maternal mortality by 2030. Timely action and sustainable investment are essential to ensure that no one is left behind.
Media Contact:
Nguyen Hoang Tram Anh
Communications Officer, UNFPA Viet Nam
Tel: 096.594.1099
