Health Department Aims for Zero Maternal Deaths Amid Rising Rate

The Department of Health is accelerating efforts to reduce maternal mortality after surveillance data from fiscal years 2024-2026 showed Thailand's maternal mortality ratio trending upward and remaining above the national target of 15 per 100,000 live births.

Major causes cover both direct obstetric issues such as postpartum hemorrhage and hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, as well as indirect and medical complications. "We are therefore systematically upgrading the quality of maternal health services, from quality antenatal care, risk assessment and individual care plans, development of crisis early warning systems, increasing readiness of blood banks and resuscitation teams, to developing an emergency referral system based on the 'Refer Before Collapse' principle so that pregnant women receive appropriate and timely care," Dr. Nongnuch said.

Dr. Nongnuch added that the fiscal 2027 operational plan aligns with causes of death and the context of each health region. Four case studies were reviewed — deaths related to hemorrhage, substance use, and sudden cardiac death — to analyze health system gaps across pre-conception, antenatal, intrapartum, postpartum, post-mortem management, and monitoring and evaluation development.

Additionally, strategies were exchanged via the Health Region 3 MCH Better model and Health Region 9's 4P for Zero MMR approach, jointly defining regional prevention measures, developing operational mechanisms, reporting and surveillance systems, and integrating inter-agency collaboration. "We expect this meeting to yield policy recommendations and practical measures tailored to each locality, helping close service gaps, enhance care for pregnant and postpartum women, and strengthen the maternal and child health network at all levels to prevent avoidable maternal deaths and sustainably drive Thailand toward the goal of 'Zero Preventable Maternal Death,'" Dr. Nongnuch concluded.