A Lao delegation led by Dr. Ponmek Dalaloy, Minister of Health, will attend the Women Deliver Conference, a global advocacy event to be held in Washington DC from 7 to 9 June, expected to bring together more than 3,000 policymakers, advocates, business leaders and public figures from around the world with the aim to generate political commitment and financial investment for fulfilling Millennium Development Goal (MDG) #5 — to reduce maternal mortality and achieve universal access to reproductive health. In Lao PDR, everyday at least two women die because of problems related to pregnancy and childbirth. For every woman who dies, there are about 30 who survive but suffer from lifelong disabilities or ill-health because of some complications on pregnancy and childbirth. The country has made substantial progress in the past 20 years to improve maternal health. The Maternal Mortality Ratio is estimated to be down from 650 (1995) to 405 (2005) per 100.000 live births. Yet despite these encouraging developments, the Maternal Mortality Ratio in Lao PDR is still one of the highest in the region. To further reduce the number of women who die giving birth, more work needs to be done.
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